ISTANBUL

The Gaza Ministry of Health announced Tuesday that 45 cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) have been recorded in the enclave in the last two months -- an unprecedented rise attributed to worsening environmental and health conditions and severe malnutrition.

“With no capacity for accurate diagnosis, these cases may be caused by poliovirus or Guillain-Barré Syndrome,” said the ministry.

It linked the alarming surge to the catastrophic environmental and public health conditions faced by Gazans amid the Israeli assault.

The Health Ministry cited multiple contributing factors, including water contamination, collapsed sewage services, waste accumulation, spread of infectious diseases, severe malnutrition and weakened immune systems.

It issued an urgent humanitarian appeal for the international community, its institutions and humanitarian organizations to immediately intervene to stop the assault, rescue the collapsed health system and improve living conditions.

Gaza is currently facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in its history, where a devastating famine intersects with a campaign of genocidal warfare by Israel since Oct. 7, 2023.

Hospitals in Gaza are suffering from severe shortages of medicine and medical supplies, and are experiencing a near-total collapse in diagnostic and treatment capabilities.

The Health Ministry also announced the shutdown of medical services at six health centers, including a hospital and the central oxygen station, due to fuel shortages caused by Israel’s complete closure of crossings since March 2025.

It warned that all remaining hospitals in Gaza may cease operations within 48 hours.

Health officials reported that the death toll from famine and malnutrition since October 2023 has risen to 101, including 80 children, following the death of 15 Palestinians, including four children, in the last 24 hours.​​​​​​​

Gaza’s Government Media Office warned Sunday that the enclave is on the brink of “mass death,” after more than 140 days of a complete closure of crossings.

Israel has killed more than 59,100 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, collapsed the health system, and led to severe food shortages.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.​​​​​​​