Gaza Herald_ Life for displaced Palestinians in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis in southern Gaza has grown even more unbearable. Families already struggling with severe shortages of food, clean water, and living space are now facing a new health threat: a widespread infestation of fleas inside their tents.
With environmental conditions deteriorating and no organized pest-control efforts in place, the insects have spread rapidly throughout the camps, intensifying the daily suffering of displaced families and posing growing health risks, especially for children and the elderly.
When night falls, the tents become places of constant discomfort. Persistent itching, endless bites, and small blood stains on blankets and clothing have become part of everyday life.
Thousands of families exhausted by displacement now find themselves battling a new enemy, tiny insects that are difficult to see but leave painful marks on already exhausted bodies.
Testimonies From Inside the Camps
Isra Al-Najjar, a 27-year-old displaced woman from Gaza City now living in Al-Mawasi, says restful sleep has become nearly impossible.
She explained that her two-year-old child often cries for hours because of the repeated bites. Despite trying various ointments and medications, she says nothing seems to work.
According to her, the fleas hide in the sand beneath the tents, inside blankets, and within the folds of mattresses, making it nearly impossible to eliminate them by treating just one tent.
She warns that if the situation continues, many families may attempt to relocate within the overcrowded camps in search of cleaner ground despite the severe shortage of available space and the lack of viable alternatives.
Abu Mohammed Abu Ouda, a 58-year-old displaced resident from Rafah, describes the situation as “unbearable.” He says his grandchildren now suffer from skin rashes and blisters caused by constant scratching.
The insects, he explained, remain hidden in blankets and sand during the daytime but emerge aggressively at night, depriving families of sleep, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
He added that most families cannot afford regular pest-control treatments due to the high cost of insecticides and the scarcity of available supplies. Without a coordinated response across the entire camp, the problem continues to spread.
Another displaced resident, Alaa Al-Kurd, 41, said he purchased an agricultural pesticide and sprayed his tent himself. The fleas disappeared briefly but returned just days later in even greater numbers.
Individual efforts, he said, cannot solve the problem when the infestation affects the entire surrounding environment.
Raed Al-Shaer, 45, says he now longs simply to return to his home east of the city. Living in tents, he explained, is no longer just a struggle against heat and cold; it has become a daily battle with unhealthy living conditions.
He noted that many families are increasingly worried about worsening health conditions, particularly as the camps remain overcrowded and sanitation services remain extremely limited.
Doctors Warn of Growing Health Risks
Medical experts warn that the problem may soon evolve into a broader health crisis.
Dr. Amer Al-Masri, a dermatology consultant, cautioned that the spread of fleas in densely populated environments like displacement camps represents a serious and escalating health risk.
He explained that flea bites can lead to bacterial skin infections caused by constant scratching, particularly among children whose skin is more sensitive. In some cases, these infections may develop into boils or abscesses requiring medical treatment.
Continued exposure to daily bites can also trigger chronic allergic reactions or eczema, while poor sanitation and limited access to clean water increase the likelihood of secondary infections.
Dr. Al-Masri emphasized that fleas easily reproduce in sand, fabrics, and around tents, meaning individual attempts to eliminate them are largely ineffective.
Addressing the crisis, he said, requires a comprehensive and coordinated environmental response. This would include large-scale pest-control campaigns across entire camps, the distribution of safe insecticides under professional supervision, and public health awareness efforts to help displaced residents protect themselves and treat early symptoms.
Without swift intervention, he warned, medical clinics may soon see a significant rise in patients suffering from related skin diseases, placing even greater strain on Gaza’s already overwhelmed healthcare system.
Displaced residents say the situation can no longer be ignored. They are calling on humanitarian organizations and aid agencies to urgently launch pest-control campaigns and distribute disinfectants and safe insecticides to contain the infestation.
For many families, the fleas have become yet another cruel layer of suffering in life inside the camps, an infestation that, as residents describe it, “bites into their skin and robs them of sleep.”
