Infectious diseases 'spiralling out of control' in Gaza: WHO

Three of the four bodies of Israeli hostages in Gaza returned by Hamas late on october 14 have been identified, according to their families following forensic confirmation of their identities. [AFP]

The World Health Organization has warned that infectious diseases are "spiralling out of control" in the Gaza Strip, with only 13 of the Palestinian territory's 36 hospitals even partially functioning.

"Whether meningitis... diarrhoea, respiratory illnesses, we're talking about a mammoth amount of work," Hanan Balkhy, regional director for the United Nations' health body, told AFP in Cairo.