Gaza Families Forced to Live on Rubbish Dumps as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Gaza, 17 February 2026
Over 4,000 displaced Palestinians in Gaza’s al-Taawun camp endure appalling conditions living atop a solid waste landfill, where rats crawl across children’s faces at night and scabies spreads unchecked due to lack of medical care and sanitation.
Living Nightmare: Children Face Rat Infestations and Disease
The al-Taawun displacement camp, situated between Yarmouk Stadium and al-Sahaba Street in central Gaza City, houses 765 families - approximately 4,000 residents - on top of a solid waste dump [1]. These families, displaced by the ongoing conflict, face conditions that deteriorate daily as basic infrastructure remains non-existent. The camp lacks running water and sewage systems, creating a breeding ground for disease and vermin [1]. Fayez al-Jadi, who has been displaced twelve times during the conflict, describes the horrifying reality of nightly rat invasions: “The rats eat the tents from underneath… They walk on our faces while we sleep. My daughter is 18 months old. A rat ran right over her face” [1]. His young daughter suffers daily from gastroenteritis, vomiting, diarrhoea, and malnutrition as a direct consequence of these unsanitary conditions [1].
Healthcare System Collapse Leaves Families Without Treatment
The spread of scabies and other skin infections has become endemic within the camp, yet families find themselves turned away from overwhelmed medical facilities [1]. Um Hamza, a grandmother caring for her infected daughter, explains the desperate situation: “We’ve stopped being ashamed to say my daughter is covered in scabies… We’ve used five or six bottles of ointment, but it’s in vain” [1]. Hospitals, including al-Ahli, have begun rejecting patients due to the complete collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system, leaving residents without access to essential medicines [1]. Six-month-old Fares Jamal Sobh exemplifies the youngest victims of this crisis, suffering from severe skin infections and asthma directly attributed to the camp’s unsanitary conditions [1]. The child’s mother, Widad Sobh, describes nights as resembling a “horror movie” due to wild dogs roaming the area [1].
Environmental Catastrophe Compounds Humanitarian Crisis
The environmental disaster unfolding in Gaza City extends far beyond the al-Taawun camp, with municipal officials reporting that more than 350,000 tonnes of solid waste are accumulating within Gaza City alone as of January 2026 [1]. This staggering figure represents an environmental catastrophe, as described by Hamada Abu Laila, a university lecturer who warns of the long-term consequences of the lack of sewage networks and drinking water infrastructure [1]. Israeli forces have blocked access to Gaza Strip’s main landfill, forcing the creation of temporary dumps in populated areas where families now live [1]. The United Nations has initiated efforts to address the crisis, beginning the removal of over 300,000 cubic metres of solid waste from the Firas Market dumping site in Gaza City for disposal at an environmentally compliant temporary location [2].
Broader Humanitarian Response Amid Ongoing Violence
Despite the ceasefire agreement that took effect on 10 October 2025, violence continues to impact Gaza’s displaced population [2]. Between 6 February and 11 February 2026, continued airstrikes, shelling, and gunfire across the Gaza Strip resulted in 20 Palestinian deaths and 80 injuries, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza [2]. The humanitarian response has faced significant challenges, with aid distributions hampered by approval delays and operational restrictions [2]. Between 4 February and 10 February 2026, the Shelter Cluster managed to assist almost 5,500 households with 1,730 tents, 1,420 tarpaulins, and other essential items, though this represents only a fraction of the need [2]. Families like that of Rizq Abu Laila face additional dangers, living near unexploded tank shells that pose constant threats to their safety [1]. Al-Jadi’s plea encapsulates the desperation of thousands: he asks simply for 40 to 50 metres of clean space to live in, away from the refuse and vermin that have made survival itself a daily struggle [1].