War Biology and Antimicrobial Resistance: The Case of Gaza

Israel’s military operations in Gaza have led to a complex humanitarian and ecological crisis, causing extensive civilian casualties and systematic destruction of the region’s healthcare system. This has exacerbated long-term health risks for the population, including the increased risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) outbreaks. The destruction of healthcare infrastructure, overcrowded living conditions, and environmental contamination have turned Gaza into an ideal breeding ground for “superbugs” resistant to treatment with some antibiotics. This report examines the relationship between armed conflict and AMR, highlighting how warfare undermines infection control, fosters antibiotic misuse, and creates conditions conducive to AMR development. The report highlights the correlation between AMR outbreaks during military operations and flare-ups, as well as their persistent prevalence in clinical settings among patients long after the cessation of military activities. The combination of repeated military assaults, a protracted siege, and damage to healthcare facilities in Gaza has intensified the AMR crisis, highlighting the urgent need to address AMR as a hidden yet escalating consequence of prolonged conflict.