WHO 42 000 in Gaza suffer life changing injuries as a result of the conflict

A new World Health Organization report reveals that many of those injured in Gaza will require care and rehabilitation support for years to come. Nearly 42,000 people in the Gaza Strip have suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the ongoing conflict, according to the latest WHO estimates released today, and one in four of these injuries are children.

The report stated that life-threatening injuries represent a quarter of the total reported injuries, out of a total of 167,376 people injured since October 2023, with more than 5,000 facing amputation. Based on a larger dataset, the findings are consistent with previous WHO analyses.

The report stated that life-changing injuries represent a quarter of the total reported injuries, out of a total of 167,376 people injured since October 2023, and more than 5,000 people face amputation. Based on a larger dataset, the findings are consistent with previous WHO analyses. Other serious injuries are also widespread, including injuries to the arms and legs (over 22,000),spinal cord injuries (over 2,000),brain injuries (over 1,300),and severe burns (over 3,300),increasing the need for specialized surgical and rehabilitation services and severely impacting patients and their families across Gaza.
The report also highlights the prevalence of complex facial and eye injuries, particularly among patients registered for medical evacuation outside Gaza, conditions that often lead to disfigurement, disability, and social stigma. The updated analysis is based on data from 22 emergency medical teams supported by WHO, the Ministry of Health in Gaza, and key health partners, providing a more comprehensive picture of rehabilitation needs resulting from severe trauma injuries.