The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said that 800 to 1,000 cases of hepatitis are reported weekly across the Gaza Strip.

It added that a total of nearly 40,000 cases have been recorded since the war began across UNRWA health centers and shelters in Gaza.

UNRWA warned that the desperate sanitary conditions facilitate the spread of diseases including Hepatitis A – with children being primarily at risk, due to the massive displacement of people, overcrowded shelters, lack of clean water, soap, and other hygiene supplies, per the organization’s report.

Cases of Hepatitis A increased from only 85 cases reported before the war to nearly 40,000 cases reported since the war started.

“The Hepatitis A outbreak is spreading in Gaza during the war. Families are displaced and live in dire and inhuman conditions in overcrowded camps and shelters. They lack clean water, hygiene kits, and proper waste and sewage management. This crisis continues to make it extremely hard for the UNRWA health programme to respond to the needs of the sick” says Dr Ghada Al-Jadba, Chief of the UNRWA Health Programme in the Gaza Strip.