Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported a disturbing spike in cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare but potentially fatal neurological condition, with 95 confirmed cases, nearly half of them children, and three deaths in just one week. The crisis highlights the catastrophic state of Gaza’s healthcare system after months of relentless Israeli bombardment and blockade.  

GBS occurs when the immune system attacks the nerves, leading to paralysis that can become life-threatening if breathing muscles are affected. Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, a senior health official, warned that contaminated water, severe malnutrition, and the near-total lack of medical supplies have created a perfect storm for the disease to spread.  

"The situation is unprecedented," said Al-Bursh, noting that Gaza’s extreme overcrowding, with 40,000 people per square kilometre in some areas, has accelerated outbreaks. Despite alerting the World Health Organization (WHO) weeks ago, no meaningful aid has arrived.  

With Israel sealing all border crossings since March 2, Gaza’s hospitals are out of vital medicines. Over 1,100 cases of meningitis have also been recorded this year, alongside soaring respiratory infections. The Ministry fears "mass deaths" not just from starvation but from preventable diseases as healthcare collapses.  

As food stocks vanish, malnutrition surges, leaving children and the elderly most vulnerable. The international community’s failure to enforce aid access has turned Gaza into a breeding ground for disaster, with no end in sight.