Gaza’s Children: A Generation Condemned to Lifelong Disabilities by Explosive Weapons
14 January 2025
In the heart of Gaza, a silent crisis is unfolding. The use of explosive weapons in 2024 has left an indelible mark on the lives of thousands of children, condemning an average of 475 children each month—or 15 children a day—to possibly lifelong disabilities. These injuries, ranging from severely injured limbs to hearing impairments, are a stark reminder of the devastating toll of conflict on the most vulnerable.
According to a report by the Gaza Protection Cluster,analyzed by Save the Children,at least 5,230 children sustained injuries in the first 11 months of 2024 that required significant rehabilitation support. However, the decimation of Gaza’s health system, coupled with attacks on hospitals and healthcare workers, has made such care nearly unachievable.
A Collapsing Health System
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Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure has been pushed to the brink. The only limb reconstruction and rehabilitation center in the region has been non-functional since December 2023 due to a lack of supplies and staff. A February 2024 raid further damaged the facility, leaving children with no access to critical treatments.Children who have lost limbs require long-term specialist care, including regular reviews of prosthetics—sometimes as frequently enough as every six months.Yet, these treatments are currently out of reach for families in Gaza.
Dr.Ana Jeelani, an orthopedic surgeon with Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), explains the gravity of the situation: “When you treat children with injuries, they have growing bones, so if you have an injury to the growing part of your bone, then that part will stop growing.”
She adds, “Wounds are not healing due to increased levels of malnutrition—we’re basically trying to stitch back wounds that won’t heal.Children are heading to amputations because bones are not healing, limbs fixed but not functional because of the gravity of the situation.”
Redefining War Injuries
Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a surgeon specializing in blast injuries, spent 45 days in Gaza between October and November 2023 operating at Al ahli Hospital. He describes the injuries as unprecedented: “Gaza is redefining war injuries. I saw many babies who suffered amputations before learning to walk, which will affect their development as their brain hasn’t picked up proper reception and eye-hand coordination yet.”
He warns of long-term consequences: “Thousands of children now need prosthetics, and they are likely to develop issues on the opposite limb. They may get early osteoarthritis in the hip joint and the knee joint. Or they may get deformity of the back. By their 20s or 30s,they may need joint replacements,something people normally get in their 70s and 80s,because of the disproportionate pressure put on the normal joint.”
The Emotional Toll
The physical injuries are only part of the story. The emotional and psychological scars run deep. A counsellor from a partner association in Gaza shared the story of Ahmad, a five-year-old boy who lost his father and one arm when his school-turned-shelter was hit.
“During a counselling session, we were playing together with clay, and Ahmad asked me to make him a new arm with the clay. I told him that hopefully when he travels out of Gaza, he will get a new arm. So, he gave me the piece of clay and told me to make him a new ‘Baba’ [dad].”
A Call for Action
Alexandra Saieh, Global Head of Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy at Save the Children, emphasizes the urgency of the situation: “In Gaza, childhoods have been replaced by pain and trauma, while the means to effectively treat and support children have been systematically eradicated. Their survival is being thwarted at every turn, as is our ability to provide the critical care they need.”
The international community must act now to ensure that children like Ahmad receive the care and support they desperately need.
Key statistics
| Statistic | Details |
|—————————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Children injured monthly (2024) | 475 |
| Children injured daily (2024) | 15 |
| Total children injured (Jan-Nov 2024) | 5,230 |
| Limb reconstruction center status | Non-functional as december 2023, further damaged in February 2024 |
| Long-term care needs | Prosthetics, joint replacements, mental health support |
The children of Gaza deserve more than a life defined by pain and disability. It is time for the world to step up and ensure their futures are not lost to the horrors of war.
For more details on the impact of explosive weapons on children, visit Save the Children.
The Devastating Toll on Palestinian Children: A Call for Immediate International Action
The ongoing crisis in Gaza has left an indelible mark on Palestinian society, with children bearing the brunt of the physical and mental harm. As Save the Children warns, the severity of this harm not only dashes individual lives but threatens the very fabric and future of Palestinian society for generations to come. “Every day, every delay, risks further undermining Palestinian children’s increasingly fragile futures,” the organization emphasized.
The situation is dire. In september 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 22,500 people in Gaza have sustained life-changing injuries, requiring rehabilitation services “now and for years to come.” Beyond these newly injured individuals, tens of thousands of Palestinians already living with chronic conditions or impairments face heightened risks due to the collapse of critical services.
A Collapsing Healthcare System
The healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink of collapse.Hospitals, already strained by years of conflict, are now overwhelmed by the sheer volume of injuries and the lack of essential supplies. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has observed a plausible risk of genocide being committed and has ordered Israel to desist from acts within the scope of the Genocide Convention. despite this,the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate.
Save the Children, which has been providing essential services to Palestinian children since 1953, has reached over 1 million people in Gaza across 50 locations. Their efforts include distributing vital supplies such as drinking water, food, hygiene products, and winter kits containing mattresses, blankets, and tarpaulins. They have also established Child Kind Spaces and provided health programming, including mental health support and acute malnutrition treatment.
The Plight of Medically Evacuated Children
The UN recently highlighted the slow pace of medical evacuations for children in Gaza, with fewer than one child being evacuated per day. At this rate, it woudl take more than seven years to evacuate the 2,500 children in urgent need of medical care.Ahmad,a child who was medically evacuated before Israeli forces closed the Rafah crossing in May 2024,is one of the few fortunate ones. Now in Egypt, Ahmad has received a prosthetic arm, but most children in similar need remain trapped in Gaza.
A Call for Ceasefire and Accountability
Save the Children continues to call for a definitive ceasefire and urges all states supplying weapons, parts, and ammunition to halt their contributions, as these risk being used in the commission of international crimes. The organization also calls on the Israeli government to lift all restrictions impeding aid delivery.
The Centre for Blast Injury Studies, launched by Imperial Collage London and Save the Children in 2023, is working to address the unique challenges faced by children injured by explosive weapons. Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, an honorary senior lecturer at the center, emphasizes the urgent need for lifesaving innovations to protect these vulnerable children.
Key Statistics at a Glance
| metric | Figure |
|———————————|——————————–|
| Life-changing injuries in Gaza | Over 22,500 |
| Children needing urgent medical care | 2,500 |
| Medical evacuations per day | Fewer than 1 |
| years to evacuate all children | Over 7 |
| People reached by Save the Children | Over 1 million |
The Path Forward
The international community must act swiftly to prevent further irreparable damage. The lives of palestinian children hang in the balance, and every moment of inaction exacerbates their suffering. As Save the Children aptly puts it, “To safeguard these futures and prevent further irreparable damage, immediate action from the international community is urgently needed.”
The time to act is now. The future of an entire generation depends on it.
For more information on how you can support save the Children’s efforts in Gaza, visit their official website.*
Ed Israel to take immediate measures to prevent acts of genocide and ensure the provision of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, to Gaza. Despite this, the situation on the ground remains critical, with healthcare facilities struggling to cope with the influx of patients and the lack of resources.
The Physical and psychological scars of war
The physical injuries sustained by children in Gaza are devastating. Orthopedic surgeons and medical professionals report that many children are suffering from injuries that will have lifelong consequences. Growing bones are particularly vulnerable, and injuries to growth plates can halt bone progress, leading to deformities and disabilities. Malnutrition exacerbates the problem, as wounds fail to heal properly, increasing the risk of infections and amputations.
Dr.Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a surgeon specializing in blast injuries, highlights the unprecedented nature of the injuries he has witnessed in Gaza. Many children are undergoing amputations before they even learn to walk, which will have profound effects on their physical and cognitive development. The long-term consequences are equally alarming, with thousands of children likely to require prosthetics and joint replacements at a young age due to the disproportionate pressure placed on their remaining limbs.
the Emotional and Psychological Impact
The emotional and psychological toll on children in Gaza is immense. The trauma of losing family members, witnessing violence, and experiencing severe injuries leaves deep scars that may never fully heal. Counsellors working with children in Gaza report heartbreaking stories of loss and resilience. Ahmad, a five-year-old boy who lost his father and one arm in an attack, asked a counsellor to make him a new arm out of clay. When told he might get a prosthetic arm in the future, Ahmad handed the counsellor the clay and asked for a new ”Baba” (dad) instead.
These stories underscore the profound emotional needs of children in Gaza, who require not only physical rehabilitation but also mental health support to cope with the trauma they have endured.
A Call for Immediate Action
The international community must act urgently to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Alexandra Saieh, Global Head of Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy at Save the Children, emphasizes the urgency of the situation: “In Gaza, childhoods have been replaced by pain and trauma, while the means to effectively treat and support children have been systematically eradicated.their survival is being thwarted at every turn,as is our ability to provide the critical care they need.”
Key actions that must be taken include:
- Immediate Ceasefire: A cessation of hostilities is essential to prevent further injuries and loss of life.
- Humanitarian Access: Ensure unrestricted access for humanitarian aid,including medical supplies,food,and clean water.
- Rehabilitation Services: Establish and support rehabilitation centers to provide prosthetics, physical therapy, and mental health services for injured children.
- Long-term Support: Commit to long-term funding and support for the reconstruction of GazaS healthcare system and infrastructure.
Key Statistics
| Statistic | Details |
|—————————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Children injured monthly (2024) | 475 |
| Children injured daily (2024) | 15 |
| Total children injured (Jan-Nov 2024) | 5,230 |
| Limb reconstruction center status | Non-functional as of December 2023, further damaged in February 2024 |
| Long-term care needs | Prosthetics, joint replacements, mental health support |
The children of Gaza deserve more than a life defined by pain and disability. It is time for the world to step up and ensure their futures are not lost to the horrors of war.
For more details on the impact of explosive weapons on children, visit Save the Children.
