Gaza: The World Health Organization said it has recorded more than 17,000 infections among displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the year, linked to rodents and external parasites, amid deteriorating health and humanitarian conditions resulting from the Israeli war on the enclave.

According to Qatar News Agency, the organization issued a statement Friday highlighting that desperate and dangerous conditions in Gaza continue to hinder recovery efforts, noting a rise in infection rates among families at a time when the health sector lacks the supplies and tools needed to respond.

The organization estimated the damage to the health sector alone at about $1.4 billion. It added that more than 1,800 health facilities had been partially or completely destroyed, ranging from major hospitals such as Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City to smaller primary health care centers, clinics, pharmacies, and laboratories.