‘If we sleep they bite’: Rats and weasels infest camps for displaced Gazans

If we sleep they bite – In the midst of a shattered Gaza Strip, the nightly sounds of distress have taken on a new, unsettling form. Samah al-Daabla, a mother of four, recounted the moment her daughter Mayaseen was attacked by a rodent at 2 a.m. “I heard her scream and rushed to check,” she said, her voice trembling. When her husband turned on a flashlight, the weasel fled, leaving behind a scene of chaos. “Her hand was covered in blood,” Samah explained. “Everything was bloody.” Such incidents are now commonplace, as displaced families face relentless threats from rats, weasels, and other pests in the crowded camps.

Aid Workers Sound the Alarm

According to reports, the infestation has escalated into a public health emergency. Rodents are not only gnawing through tents and food supplies but also spreading disease through their urine, droppings, and fleas. These pests can trigger respiratory illnesses, skin infections, and even food poisoning. Dr. Reinhilde Van De Weert, the local WHO representative, described the situation as “a predictable outcome of a collapsed living environment.” She emphasized the urgent need for improved sanitation and infrastructure to curb the spread of illness.

Meanwhile, social media has become a platform for sharing harrowing accounts of the crisis. Footage shows rats scurrying through camps, while footage of newborns and elderly residents being bitten by rodents circulates widely. One grandmother, whose feet are affected by diabetes, described how parts of her toes were chewed off by the animals. “I can’t sleep without fear,” she said, her words echoing the plight of countless others.

The Human Cost of Neglect

The scale of the problem is staggering. A recent UN survey revealed that rodents or pests are frequently present in 80% of displaced families’ shelters, impacting an estimated 1.45 million people. For families like Samah’s, the trauma of waking to find their child injured is compounded by the daily struggle to survive in unsanitary conditions. Mayaseen, now in a hospital bed, still suffers from fever and vomiting after receiving a tetanus injection. Her recovery is a reminder of the ongoing battle against preventable diseases in the region.

Rizq Abu Laila, a father of four, described the chaotic state of his camp. “We can’t sleep! If we do, they bite the children and ruin our belongings,” he said. The camp, situated near a garbage dump, is a haven for pests. “The rats fight in the rubbish because there are so many of them,” he added, gesturing to torn clothes and eaten flour. “We’re at our breaking point.” His words reflect a widespread sentiment among residents who are exhausted by the relentless presence of rodents and the lack of resources to combat them.

A Stalemate in Reconstruction

Six months after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal was signed, the humanitarian situation remains stagnant. The agreement aimed to ease the suffering of Gazans, but progress has been slow. Regular airstrikes continue, with Israel claiming to target Hamas. The group, which ignited the conflict in October 2023 through its assault on Israel and hostage-taking, has not yet pledged to disarm. As a result, reconstruction efforts have stalled, leaving families to endure the consequences of a war that shows no sign of ending.

Without adequate shelter, the camps have become breeding grounds for pests. The lack of 200,000 caravans—temporary homes promised by Palestinian officials—means many still rely on tents and makeshift shelters. Raw sewage flows through these overcrowded spaces, creating ideal conditions for rodents to thrive. In the warmer springtime, the animals multiply, feeding on the piles of rubbish that line the camps. Parents report keeping watch at night to prevent attacks, a constant vigil that has turned into a new form of warfare.

International Efforts and Challenges

UN agencies have intensified their efforts to address the crisis, focusing on pest control, drainage, and sanitation. Ettie Higgins, deputy representative for Unicef in central Gaza, stressed the need for a large-scale campaign. “We’re trying to scale up support for managing wastewater and sewage,” she said. “But the damage is widespread.” Despite these initiatives, the task is monumental. The destruction of pipes and treatment facilities has left the region reliant on temporary solutions.

Humanitarian workers are demanding more heavy equipment and spare parts to clear the rubble. They also seek access to Gaza’s major landfill sites, which are currently under full Israeli military control in the eastern part of the strip. Without this access, the cycle of neglect continues. “Replacing damaged waste and sanitation facilities requires vital supplies,” said a spokesperson for aid organizations. “Israel restricts these for security reasons, arguing they could be used to build new weapons by Hamas.” This restriction has become a barrier to recovery, even as the need for aid grows.

Cogat, the Israeli defense body overseeing Gaza’s crossings, claims it is working with international partners to improve conditions. In a statement, it noted efforts to “enable a response in sanitation and essential infrastructure.” This includes coordinating waste removal and allowing the entry of repair equipment. However, critics argue these actions are insufficient. “The problem is not just about garbage,” said an aid worker. “It’s about the systemic breakdown of services that has left families vulnerable.”

A Call for Global Action

As the situation worsens, displaced Gazans are pleading for help. “We call on international institutions to assist us,” Rizq Abu Laila said, his voice heavy with frustration. The cries for support echo through the camps, where families are trapped in a cycle of poverty and disease. With no end in sight to the conflict, the struggle against pests has become a symbol of the broader humanitarian crisis. The relentless biting and scratching of rodents are not just a physical threat but a reminder of the deeper, unmet needs of the people.

From the sounds of a child’s scream to the daily battle for clean water and air, the crisis in Gaza has taken on a new dimension. The rats and weasels are not just animals—they are a manifestation of the collapse of infrastructure and the enduring impact of war. For displaced families, the nights are no longer filled with the sounds of safety but with the relentless presence of pests that have turned their shelters into battlegrounds. The fight for survival continues, and without urgent intervention, the situation may only grow more dire.