Nearly 42,000 people in Gaza are living with life-changing injuries as a result of the ongoing Israeli assault, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported, underscoring the devastating scale of physical trauma inflicted on the population.

According to the agency, one in every four injured individuals is a child, making Gaza the location of the largest group of child amputees in modern history.

In a statement shared on X, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini described the humanitarian situation as catastrophic, stressing that the collapse of Gaza’s medical system has left thousands of severely wounded Palestinians without adequate treatment or rehabilitation.

“With the collapse of the medical system during the war, those with serious injuries struggle to get the treatment and rehabilitation they need to rebuild their lives,” Lazzarini said.

Despite enormous challenges, UNRWA teams — working in coordination with WHO and partner organizations — continue to expand emergency support for Gaza’s injured population. Since the start of the war, UNRWA has provided psychosocial support to more than 30,000 people with disabilities, Lazzarini noted. Over 8,000 individuals have received assistive devices and rehabilitation services, including wheelchairs, mobility aids, and therapeutic sessions.

“These efforts aim to ensure that the wounded are not left behind,” Lazzarini added, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable.

Doctors in Gaza warn that many amputations could have been prevented if functional hospitals, surgical equipment, and specialized care were available. Instead, ongoing bombardment, mass displacement, and fuel shortages have pushed the health sector into total collapse, forcing medical teams to perform emergency surgeries — including amputations — often without anesthesia or sterilization.

Lazzarini stressed that UNRWA continues to work “every day, across the region” to assist those injured and traumatized by the war. He reiterated that sustained international support is essential to prevent further loss of life and to ensure long-term rehabilitation for tens of thousands of Palestinians left permanently disabled. (ILKHA)