India, April 30 -- After suffering almost 18 months of deadly bombardment, displacement and lack of access to basic services, the embattled people of Gaza face yet another challenge: the threat of insects and rodents.

One displaced woman told UN News's correspondent in Gaza: "In all camps, we suffer from biting insects, especially fleas," adding that "our children suffer from severe pain due to itching and stinging.

"We tried to treat it in simple ways, but the right medicines are not available at the medical centre."

While biting insects found in Gaza are not immediately life-threatening, the presence of rodents, including rats, can increase the risk of the spread of infectious diseases which the health system in Gaza may be unable to...