Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: A new chapter in relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency will begin within the framework of the new law passed by Parliament

Poliovirus found in Gaza sewage sounds alarm on grave health crisis

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 Jul 2024 00:09
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

The Ministry of Health in Gaza issues a critical warning following the detection of the poliovirus in sewage samples analyzed in partnership with UNICEF.

Listen
  • x
  • Palestinian girls walk past a lake of sewage leaking from targeted underground pipes by Israeli bombardment in Gaza's second city of Khan Younis amid the ongoing genocide (AFP)
    Palestinian girls walk past a lake of sewage leaking from targeted underground pipes by Israeli bombardment in Gaza's second city of Khan Younis amid the ongoing genocide. (AFP)

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza has issued an urgent warning after tests conducted on sewage samples, in coordination with UNICEF, confirmed the presence of the poliovirus.

This alarming discovery highlights a severe health crisis as the virus is found in sewage water that flows through the densely populated areas and displacement camps, where infrastructure has been severely damaged due to the relentless Israeli bombardment since October 7.

The Ministry of Health labeled the situation as a "new health disaster."

“The presence of the poliovirus in sewage water, especially in areas densely populated with displaced people, signifies a grave health risk,” the ministry stated.

The overcrowded conditions, coupled with limited access to clean water, sewage contamination, and the accumulation of garbage, create an ideal environment for the spread of various epidemics, it added.

The dirty Israeli Nazis and their filthy Western enablers are starving Palestinian children.

They will all rot in Hell. #GazaHolocaust pic.twitter.com/GmVhGmGPT1

— Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) July 18, 2024

The ministry also emphasized that the total Israeli blockade that restricts the entry of essential hygiene supplies exacerbates the situation.

“The detection of the poliovirus in sewage water indicates a potential health disaster, putting thousands at risk of contracting polio. We urgently call for an immediate cessation of Israeli aggression, the provision of clean water, repair of sewage systems, and a resolution to the overcrowding in displacement areas,” it stressed.

In a related development, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that the Israeli Ministry of Health has advised the military to vaccinate its soldiers against polio following the detection of the virus in Gaza.

Related News

'Israel' closes 88% of war crimes cases without charges: Watchdog

Palestinians are being massacred by US-German weapons: Iran's Baghaei

'Israel' is weaponizing water against Gaza: Oxfam

A new Oxfam report released Thursday has exposed "Israel’s" systematic use of water as a weapon against Palestinians in the war-torn Gaza Strip, flagrantly disregarding human life and international law.

The report, titled "Water War Crimes," reveals that "Israel's" external water supply cuts, systematic destruction of water facilities, and deliberate obstruction of aid have slashed the amount of water available in Gaza by 94%, leaving only 4.74 liters per person per day—just under a third of the recommended minimum in emergencies and less than a single toilet flush.

A PALESTINIAN CHILD COLLECTS DROPS OF WATER TO FILL HIS BOTTLE IN GAZA 💔 pic.twitter.com/8V0fT4nG21

— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) July 17, 2024

Oxfam's analysis also shows that Israeli military actions have damaged or destroyed on average five water and sanitation infrastructure sites every three days since the war began.

The destruction of water and electricity infrastructure, combined with restrictions on spare parts and fuel (with only about a fifth of the required amount allowed in), has led to an 84% reduction in water production in Gaza. Additionally, external supply from "Israel's" water company Mekorot has decreased by 78%.

The report further indicated that "Israel" has destroyed 70% of all sewage pumps and 100% of all wastewater treatment plants, along with the main water quality testing laboratories in Gaza, and has restricted the entry of Oxfam's water testing equipment. As a result, Gaza City has nearly lost all its water production capacity, with 88% of its water wells and 100% of its desalination plants either damaged or destroyed.

Oxfam Water and Sanitation Specialist Lama Abdul Samad said, "We’ve already seen Israel’s use of collective punishment and its use of starvation as a weapon of war. Now we are witnessing its weaponizing of water, which is already having deadly consequences."

Dyhadrated, hot and desperate for water, children in #Gaza collect the drips from a water container they can’t pay for in their cups | @QudsNen pic.twitter.com/TpWpR9RYYc

— Sarah Wilkinson (@swilkinsonbc) July 18, 2024

“But the deliberate restriction of access to water is not a new tactic. The Israeli Government has been depriving Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza of safe and sufficient water for many years,” she stressed.   

On his account, Monther Shoblak, general manager of the Gaza Strip’s water utility CMWU, said, “My colleagues and I have been living through a nightmare these past nine months, but we still feel it’s our responsibility and duty to ensure everybody in Gaza is getting their minimum right of clean drinking water. It’s been very difficult, but we are determined to keep trying – even when we witness our colleagues being targeted and killed by Israel while undertaking their work.”   

Read next: Flies, mosquitoes infest Gaza water amid bombing and sewage hazards

  • war on Gaza
  • Gaza sewage
  • Gaza genocide
  • Israeli occupation
  • Poliovirus
  • Israeli genocide
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
An explosion seen during an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

If Iran is attacked again, geography of response may change: IRGC spox

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS