How many people in Gaza have lost limbs due to the war?

The World Health Organization estimates 5,000 to 6,000 amputees from the war, with 25% being children.

What challenges do amputees in Gaza face?

Survivors face shortages of prosthetic limbs, long delays for medical evacuations, and lack of assistive devices like wheelchairs.

Has aid for prosthetic supplies reached Gaza?

A recent WHO shipment has arrived, the first significant one in two years, offering some relief to the severe shortage.

Home / War and Conflict / Gaza Amputees: Limbs Lost, Dreams Deferred

Gaza Amputees: Limbs Lost, Dreams Deferred

13 Dec, 2025

•

Summary

Thousands of Palestinians face amputations due to war; many are children.
Shortages of prosthetic limbs and delays in medical evacuations hinder recovery.
A recent WHO shipment offers hope, but a large backlog remains.

Gaza Amputees: Limbs Lost, Dreams Deferred

Thousands of Palestinians have endured life-altering amputations due to recent bombardments, with a staggering 25% of these cases involving children. Haneen al-Mabhouh, who lost her leg and all four daughters in an airstrike, faces immense challenges, including the need for treatment unavailable in Gaza and a 10-month wait for medical evacuation. Her story highlights the grim reality for many survivors.

The ongoing conflict has severely impacted access to essential medical care. There is a critical shortage of prosthetic limbs and materials for their creation, with only one significant shipment arriving recently after two years. This scarcity, coupled with significant delays in medical evacuations—only a marginal increase has been observed since the recent ceasefire—leaves thousands like Yassin Marouf and Mohamed al-Naggar in desperate situations.