Families displaced by the war in Gaza say they are facing a growing threat from rats and urban weasels infesting overcrowded camps. Samah al-Daabla described waking in the night to find her four-year-old daughter bleeding after being bitten by a weasel inside their tent. The child required medical treatment and suffered days of fever before beginning to recover.

Residents report that rodents roam freely through tents, attacking newborns, the elderly and people who are ill. One grandmother with diabetes said parts of her toes were bitten while she slept, highlighting the vulnerability of those with limited mobility.

Aid workers warn that worsening sanitation and overcrowding have created conditions for a serious public health crisis, with pests spreading disease among displaced families. Israeli authorities say they are coordinating with international organisations to address sanitation needs, but many families say they continue to live in fear of nighttime attacks.