A new analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) has found that at least a quarter of those injured Palestinians in the Gaza war – an estimated 22,500 – suffer life-changing injuries that require rehabilitation services now and for years to come amid the continued “destruction of the health system” in the Strip.
Severe limb injuries – estimated at 13,455 to 17,550 – are the main factor in the need for rehabilitation, including a large number of amputations.
Currently, only 17 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain partially functioning, while primary health care and community-level services are repeatedly suspended or inaccessible due to insecurity, attacks and repeated evacuation orders.
WHO noted that Gaza’s only limb reconstruction and rehabilitation centre, located at the Nasser Medical Complex, became inoperable in December 2023 due to lack of supplies.
