Rats and sewage deepen health risks in Gaza displacement camps
Al Jazeera reports that displaced families in Gaza are facing rat infestations, sewage overflow and rising skin disease risks in crowded camps.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
Displaced families in Gaza are facing deteriorating camp conditions as rat infestations spread through sites where garbage has piled up and sewage is overflowing, according to Al Jazeera. The conditions matter because doctors cited by the network say skin diseases are becoming more severe while families lack sanitation and adequate medical care.
Al Jazeera reported on June 28, 2026, that rats are moving through displacement camps across Gaza. The network linked the problem to accumulated waste, sewage spilling into living areas and shelters packed beyond capacity.
Doctors cited by Al Jazeera described a worsening public health crisis in the camps. They reported seeing more serious skin diseases among displaced people who are living without proper sanitation systems or sufficient access to treatment.
Camp conditions described
According to Al Jazeera, families in the camps are contending with several overlapping hazards at once. The network reported that rodents, refuse, sewage and crowding are combining to make daily life more dangerous for people already displaced from their homes.
- Rats have been reported in displacement camps across Gaza, according to Al Jazeera.
- Garbage is accumulating in the camps, the network reported.
- Sewage systems are overflowing, according to Al Jazeera.
- Shelters are overcrowded, the network said.
- Doctors cited by Al Jazeera reported more severe skin diseases.
The medical concerns described by doctors center on the lack of clean and safe living conditions. Al Jazeera reported that families are struggling without proper sanitation, a basic requirement for preventing disease in crowded settings.
The report also said medical care is not adequate for the level of need facing displaced families. Doctors cited by Al Jazeera said skin conditions have become more severe, adding to concerns about disease risks in the camps.
Al Jazeera’s reporting presents the crisis as both an environmental and medical emergency inside displacement sites. Waste, sewage and crowding are creating conditions in which disease can spread, while limited access to care leaves families with few options for treatment.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.