The World Health Organization (WHO) says about 43,000 people in the Gaza Strip have sustained life-changing and severe injuries since the outbreak of hostilities in October 2023, raising concerns over the growing humanitarian and medical crisis in the territory.
WHO Representative for the occupied Palestinian territories, Reinhilde van de Weerdt, disclosed this on Tuesday, noting that thousands of critically injured residents continue to face limited access to rehabilitation services and essential medical equipment.
According to the organisation, nearly one-quarter of those affected are children, while approximately half of the injured have suffered serious limb damage. More than 5,000 people have undergone amputations, over 2,000 have sustained spinal cord injuries, more than 3,400 have suffered severe burns, and over 1,300 have traumatic brain injuries.
READ ALSO:Â Israel Issues First Gaza Evacuation Order Since Ceasefire
The WHO estimates that the overall number of injured people in Gaza, including less severe cases, has risen to about 172,000.
Van de Weerdt said the territory’s rehabilitation system is overwhelmed, with available facilities unable to meet the scale of demand created by the conflict.
She also revealed that at least 18 shipments of rehabilitation supplies, including adult and children’s wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, and therapeutic equipment, remain delayed at Israeli customs, with some consignments held for more than a year.
The WHO has called for the immediate clearance of the medical supplies, stressing the urgent need to provide long-term care and recovery support for those affected.
“The people of Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering. They deserve not just emergency care, but the sustained support needed to recover and rebuild their lives,” she said.
The conflict began after Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others were taken hostage. Israel says its military operations are directed at Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza.
According to health authorities in Gaza, more than 72,700 people have been killed since the conflict began.
