The Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Sector in the Palestinian NGO Network warned of the serious repercussions of the escalating and continuing Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip on the reality and lives of persons with disabilities, in light of the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe at all levels.

The sector indicated in a statement, issued on Saturday, that hundreds of people with disabilities were martyred, thousands of them were injured, and ten thousand citizens were injured with various disabilities as a result of the Israeli aggression, in addition to the displacement of tens of thousands of people with disabilities and their exposure to difficult conditions of displacement, as well as trauma. The difficult psychological situation they are exposed to.

It stressed that the occupation’s destruction of infrastructure and main roads, and the destruction of accommodations and the headquarters of organizations working in the field of rehabilitation, caused a limitation in the ability of people with disabilities to move and access services, and thus limit the opportunities for movement and evacuation, which exposed and is exposing their lives to extreme danger, in addition to their loss of their tools. Assistance, because they had to leave their aids behind due to the bombing.

It added: The lives of persons with disabilities are at risk, due to the acute shortage of sources of water, food, energy, medicines, and medical and rehabilitation treatment, and with regard to displacement, many persons with disabilities face great difficulties in overcrowded and inadequate shelter centers for displaced persons, which do not provide Components of inclusion, which increases the difficulty for them to obtain humanitarian aid, use of bathrooms, and other necessary needs and requirements.

It explained that people with disabilities are exposed, like other Palestinian citizens, to the crimes of the occupation, but their impact is double on them, as the lack of components of inclusion in the surrounding environment, or the destruction of these components due to the occupation, or the destruction of their supporting tools, reduces their chances of survival, as it hinders their ability to evacuate and arrive. To health facilities and shelter centres, the imposed siege and closure of humanitarian crossings also prevent them from obtaining the regular medicines and special food they need, in addition to rehabilitation and other services.

It stressed that the lack of adaptation of shelter centers, in addition to overcrowding, represents an additional problem that limits the access of persons with disabilities to the limited services available, as persons with disabilities suffer more than others from malnutrition, which exposes them to chronic diseases and the possibility of death.

It stressed that women with disabilities face double challenges during the war, especially with the lack of health supplies for them as women with disabilities, in addition to the severe lack of inclusion requirements, severe crowding inside shelters, the presence of some women in tents on the sand, and their need to access bathrooms that Most of them are not compatible. In addition, women with disabilities face difficulties related to obtaining food, medicine, and health and rehabilitation follow-ups, which may greatly affect their health status. As a result of overcrowding and lack of privacy, they are also vulnerable to violations and violence, which exacerbates their psychological conditions.

The rehabilitation sector pointed out that the significant increase in the number of disabilities caused by the war, which is approximately ten thousand cases of disability, half of which are children, at a time when the occupation prevents the entry of aids and medical supplies, and prevents them from traveling for treatment abroad in light of the destruction of the health infrastructure and the destruction of most health facilities. Hospitals and rehabilitation centres, which would put their lives at risk.

The Rehabilitation Sector for Persons with Disabilities called for the importance of providing urgent protection to persons with disabilities. It also condemned the crimes committed by the occupation against our Palestinian people in all the occupied Palestinian territories, especially the massacres and intentional genocide it commits against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

It also called for accelerating the provision of special needs for people with disabilities, including assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids, white canes for visually impaired people, medical mattresses, and others, and supporting institutions that work in the field of rehabilitation of people with disabilities, and enhancing their ability to Respond to their needs.