The Government Media Office in Gaza has reported a sharp and widespread outbreak of a new influenza strain in recent days, particularly affecting displaced persons in shelters, as well as patients and children.

The office stated that the rapid spread and infection of thousands is due to extreme overcrowding, lack of clean water and proper ventilation, and the collapse of health services amid ongoing war and Israeli restrictions. This poses a direct threat to the most vulnerable populations.

Hospitals are struggling to cope with the outbreak under severe shortages of staff and medical supplies. The office stressed that there are no effective medications available for this strain in Gaza — and even the limited quantities that do exist are nearly depleted, due to Israel’s continued ban on the entry of dozens of essential medicines.