The Central Bureau of Statistics said, “The number of serious injuries that changed the course of life in the Gaza Strip and require continuous rehabilitation was estimated at about 25% of the total number of injuries, i.e. no less than 26,140 people, until 11/24/2024.

The statistics department explained in a statement issued on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which falls today, that in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, persons with disabilities are suffering from catastrophic humanitarian conditions, exacerbated by the widespread destruction of infrastructure and basic services and their exposure to tragic displacement conditions, in addition to the difficult psychological trauma they are exposed to.

In his statement, he relied on a report issued by the World Health Organization on 30/7/2024, on an analysis of the types of injuries resulting from the war, in which daily reports issued by Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) data were used in the period from 10 January to 16 May 2024, to estimate the number of serious injuries requiring ongoing care and rehabilitation in Gaza. These cases include between 13,455 and 17,550 serious injuries to the limbs, in addition to 3,105 - 4,050 amputations, most of them of the lower limbs.

In addition, the same report estimated that there were approximately 2,000 spinal cord and brain injuries, and the number of burn injuries was estimated at at least 2,000. Spinal cord injuries and burns require immediate treatment and rehabilitation to prevent long-term effects that may result in permanent disabilities.

About 10 children have their limbs amputated every day.

He pointed out in his statement that the Israeli aggression had had disastrous effects on children in the Gaza Strip, which were represented by serious physical injuries that left long-term effects on their health and lives. They may need repeated surgeries and expensive medical treatments, and the injuries may lead to permanent disability and incapacity.

Reports issued by the Ministry of Health indicated that 70% of the total number of wounded, which amounted to 104,567, until 11/24/2024, were children and women.

According to a report issued by Save the Children, citing UNICEF in January 2024, more than 1,000 children had their limbs amputated, an average of more than 10 children per day, during the first three months of the aggression.

Destruction of the health sector doubles the suffering

The situation of the injured has been exacerbated by the systematic destruction of hospitals and rehabilitation centres, as well as severe restrictions on the evacuation of patients and limited access to assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches and hearing aids, and severe shortages of medical supplies and essential consumables.

He explained that this systematic attack on health facilities and medical staff has limited the health system's ability to provide necessary treatment to the injured, especially those suffering from serious injuries such as spinal cord injuries and burns, which require immediate treatment and intensive rehabilitation to prevent long-term effects.

Amid this devastation, access to basic treatments and specialist services has become almost impossible, further worsening their health and putting their lives at grave risk.

Currently, only 17 of the 36 hospitals remain partially functional, while primary healthcare is frequently suspended or inaccessible due to insecurity, attacks and repeated evacuation orders. The only limb reconstruction and rehabilitation centre at Nasser Medical Complex has been out of service since December 2023, due to a lack of supplies and the displacement of specialist health workers, and was later damaged after an Israeli attack on the hospital in February 2024.

The Ministry of Health reports, up until 11/23/2024, indicate that more than 1,000 health workers and specialists were martyred. A previous report issued in May indicated that 39 physical therapy specialists were martyred.