The United Nations has raised serious concerns over the growing number of children disabled in Gaza since the war began in October 2023. According to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, at least 21,000 children have been left permanently disabled as a result of the ongoing conflict.
The committee also reported that around 40,500 children have sustained new war-related injuries during this period. More than half of these cases have resulted in life-changing disabilities. Many children and families continue to face extreme hardships with little access to medical care, rehabilitation, or assistive devices.
Israeli evacuation orders have been described as inaccessible for people with hearing or visual impairments, leaving many unable to escape targeted areas. Some families reported being forced to crawl through sand or mud without proper mobility support. These conditions expose children with disabilities to further risk, harm, and indignity.
Restrictions on humanitarian aid have worsened the crisis. Wheelchairs, canes, prosthetics, and other vital medical devices are classified as "dual-use items" and blocked from entering Gaza. As a result, 83 percent of disabled people in Gaza have lost their assistive equipment and cannot replace them due to poverty.
The UN has also highlighted the destruction of infrastructure, war debris, and inaccessible aid points as major barriers preventing disabled children and adults from receiving life-saving support. Many are left without food, clean water, or sanitation, relying entirely on others for survival.
The committee urged Israel and all parties to ensure safe evacuation measures for persons with disabilities, provide massive humanitarian assistance, and protect children from further harm. It stressed that disabled people must be supported to return to their homes safely and with dignity.
Source: (https://www.arabnews.com/node/2613996/middle-east)