Rats Overrun Gaza Camps, UN Warns of Sickness Explosion

A United Nations agency report published on May 7 warns that rats and insects are rapidly spreading through camps for displaced people in Gaza, causing a surge in bites and skin diseases among residents [147799]. The pests are thriving in the massive piles of rubble and garbage left by the conflict, but aid workers say Israel continues to block the entry of equipment needed to clear the debris [147799]. Without the tools to remove the waste, the health crisis is expected to worsen [147799]. The report calls for immediate access to sanitation and pest-control supplies to prevent further disease outbreaks [147799].