TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A medical official in the Gaza Strip expressed concern on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, over the skyrocketing numbers of miscarriages in the Palestinian enclave, with 4,000 recorded in the first half (H1) of 2026.
According to Antara, quoting Xinhua, Bassam Zaqout, director of medical relief in the Gaza Strip, said in a radio interview that the unprecedented surge was driven by poor living conditions.
Pregnant women in Gaza were forced to travel on unpaved roads in overcrowded and unsafe transportation, sleep on the ground, and had limited hot water and hygiene supplies, all while battling fear of Israeli bombing.
Furthermore, the spread of skin diseases and unsanitary conditions in refugee camps also contributed to the increasing number of miscarriages.
Zaqout warned that the health crisis was exacerbated by severe shortages of medicines, equipment, and medical supplies, with the health sector now operating in a state of emergency due to restrictions and blockades on the entry of essential resources, diagnostic equipment, and laboratory reagents.
He also reported widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases and viral infections in Gaza, especially among the displaced. Thousands of cases of chickenpox are being recorded every week, along with an increase in respiratory infections and watery diarrhea caused by contaminated water.
Zaqout added that the reduced flow of humanitarian aid, food supplies, and hygiene supplies in recent months has further worsened conditions in the overcrowded displacement camps.
Read: Gaza Health System Faces Severe Crisis Amid Medicine and Ambulance Shortages
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