The Human Cost of War: Gaza’s Rising Limb Amputations Amid Ongoing Israeli Attacks

Watan–The director of the Health Information Unit at the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, Zaher Al-Wahidi, reported that 4,500 cases of upper and lower limb amputations have been recorded by the end of 2024 as a result of the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. This has occurred since Israel began its genocide against Palestinians in Gaza over 15 months ago. Al-Wahidi stated, in a statement to Anadolu Agency on Friday, that the percentage of amputations among children in Gaza reaches 18% of the total number of cases, with nearly 800 Palestinian children affected. He also added that 540 amputations have been recorded among Palestinian women, making their percentage 12%.

Al-Wahidi explained that the figures regarding amputations among the injured in Gaza reflect the scale of the humanitarian disaster faced by Palestinian civilians, particularly the most vulnerable groups, such as children and women. Doctors and government officials expect the number of amputations, especially among children, to be “many times higher than the reported figure,” as it is difficult to issue accurate data while the genocide continues in Gaza, with widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure.

The official from Israeli war on Gaza pointed out that the numbers are likely to rise as the Israeli war continues, which would increase the pressure on the health system already suffering from a severe shortage of medical supplies due to the ongoing blockade on the Gaza Strip for over 18 years. It is noted that Israel has tightened its blockade on Gaza and its Palestinians starting on October 7, 2023, preventing the entry of all essential supplies, including medical and pharmaceutical items, before allowing only minimal quantities insufficient to support the health system. It is noteworthy that the occupation is unlikely to support this system, as it has been attacking it since the early days of its war on Gaza. Al-Wahidi emphasized that the health sector urgently needs medical and humanitarian support to address the escalating crisis amid the ongoing Israeli war, calling on the international community to act urgently to stop Israeli violations and ensure the protection of civilians.

As the number of amputations among children rises, Lisa Dutton, a spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), reported last October that Gaza has become “home to the largest group of child amputees in modern history.” Dutton quoted the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) as saying that 10 children in Gaza lose one or both legs every day as a result of the genocide Israel is committing against them.

The tragic situation faced by Gaza’s children was described by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini as a “disability pandemic” sweeping the region, with a lack of necessary prosthetics and centers for psychological and physical rehabilitation that provide hope to amputees. A number of prosthetics are provided as part of humanitarian aid from various countries and medical delegations to Gaza. In a related context, throughout the months of continuous war, the Israeli occupation forces targeted the Hammad Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Hospital in Gaza City (North), rendering it out of service. This hospital was the only one specializing in this field, in addition to the Prosthetic and Paralysis Center belonging to the Gaza City Municipality, according to the Ministry of Health.