They survived the bombs, but not the virus: Fatal illness spreads in Gaza
Mariam Kalloub’s death came as a shock to her mother, Marwa, who had no way of foreseeing that her child’s illness would prove fatal. Despite her belief in Mariam’s strong immune system and the simple treatment she would receive, the child succumbed to a virus that struck with deadly force.
Marwa Kalloub, 38, said she never thought a common illness could end her daughter’s life. “Mariam had no prior health issues,” her aunt Iman Kalloub recalled to Middle East Eye. “Before she passed, she experienced intense coughing, vomiting and a high fever. She stopped eating entirely.”
“We anticipated her recovery would take time, but we never imagined it would end like this,” Kalloub added.
Recent weeks have seen a fast-spreading virus claim lives in Gaza, a region already battered by prolonged conflict. The health system, crippled by years of violence and resource shortages, has struggled to cope with the surge in cases. Doctors remain uncertain about the virus’s identity, citing inadequate testing and a lack of critical medical supplies.
Mariam, eight years old, was admitted to Rantisi Hospital on 11 January. Once a key facility for treating childhood ailments like kidney disease and cancer, it now focuses on respiratory and digestive infections due to repeated damage from Israeli attacks.
“Two years of war didn’t kill her. A small virus did,” Kalloub said, reflecting on the tragedy. The family had celebrated the October ceasefire with cautious optimism, using it to rebuild and send Mariam back to school. Yet the virus, which had been lurking in the shadows, proved unstoppable.
Health officials have noted a 200% increase in emergency cases, with respiratory infections, fever, weight loss and joint pain being common symptoms. Severe pneumonia has led to thousands needing hospital care, including intensive treatment. Mortality has also risen, highlighting the crisis.
“Gaza faces an unprecedented health emergency due to the Israeli blockade,” said Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of al-Shifa Medical Complex. “Nearly every household has someone infected. It could be flu, a new strain, or even coronavirus.”
A November 2025 report by the Health Cluster, led by the World Health Organization, revealed that most medical facilities cannot offer full services. It found 55% of essential drugs were unavailable, while 71% of basic supplies were out of stock. “Diagnosis and treatment are extremely difficult without proper equipment,” Abu Salmiya noted.
Bed occupancy in hospitals has reached 150-200% due to the influx of patients. Overcrowded camps, leaking tents, and contaminated water have worsened the spread of infection. Vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions face the highest risk.
“Famine and malnutrition have severely weakened immune systems,” Abu Salmiya explained. “This has caused complications, even among patients undergoing dialysis, cancer treatment, or heart care.”
Despite the October ceasefire, UN agencies reported last month that 77% of Gaza’s population still suffers from acute food insecurity. This has left many susceptible to disease, as the virus exploits the region’s fragile state. The collapse of immunity, combined with limited healthcare access, has turned a simple illness into a life-threatening crisis.
