Over 6,000 amputations recorded in Gaza since war began

The Gaza Ministry of Health reports a staggering figure of over 6,000 amputations performed since the onset of the current conflict. This grim statistic is compounded by severe shortages of essential medical supplies and equipment, which are critically impeding the provision of prosthetic limbs and necessary rehabilitation services.

“

Children form about 25 percent of the patients receiving treatment at the center.

Husni Muhanna, media and public relations officer at the Gaza Prosthetic and Disabled Center, highlighted that children represent approximately 25% of the patients receiving treatment. He emphasized the specialized care these young patients require, including rehabilitation programs and prosthetic limbs that must be frequently adjusted as they grow. The center faces significant challenges in meeting the increasing demand due to restrictions on medical and technical supplies, particularly a serious lack of materials needed for producing artificial limbs.

Separate data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that between September 2024 and May 2026, a total of 2,277 individuals in Gaza were assessed following amputations. According to the WHO figures, 18% of these cases involved children, and a significant 76% of recorded amputations affected lower limbs. The broader figure of over 6,000 amputations reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health encompasses a wider population than the WHO assessment, thus not directly contradicting the UN agency's data.

“

Children who suffer amputations require more specialized treatment because they need rehabilitation programs and prosthetic limbs that need to be adjusted repeatedly according to growth.

The ongoing conflict has inflicted severe injuries and permanent disabilities on numerous Palestinians. Compounding the crisis, damage to hospitals and other health facilities has severely disrupted rehabilitation and prosthetic services. Palestinian health authorities and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that the scarcity of medical equipment, rehabilitation supplies, and other vital materials severely limits the treatment available for those suffering from long-term injuries and disabilities in Gaza.

“

The center is now facing a serious shortage of equipment and materials for producing artificial limbs, including plaster needed in several important stages of the manufacturing process.