Gaza humanitarian crisis: Thousands of children suffer amputations

Humanitarian agencies and the Gaza Health Ministry have reported severe impacts on children in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. UNICEF and the Palestinian Ministry of Health estimate that between 3,000 and 4,000 children have undergone amputations of one or more limbs. At the peak of the conflict, UNRWA and UNICEF reported an average of 10 children losing one or both legs every day.

Medical organizations, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), have noted that many surgical procedures were performed with limited or no anesthesia due to damaged healthcare infrastructure and critical shortages of medical supplies. The United Nations has stated that Gaza has the highest number of child amputees per capita in modern history.

Data from the Gaza Health Ministry indicates significant child casualties and displacement. Reports state that over 21,000 children have been killed and more than 71,000 have been orphaned. Additionally, over one million children are facing food insecurity, and nearly 914,000 have been deprived of education due to the ongoing conflict and siege.