Wed Sep 03 16:48:23 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article rewrite based on the provided text, keeping in mind the prompt’s focus on a possible Indian perspective (though limited information makes this challenging).
**Summary:**
A UN committee reports that the ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in at least 21,000 children becoming disabled since October 7, 2023. Tens of thousands more children have suffered war-related injuries. The committee highlights challenges faced by disabled individuals in Gaza, including inaccessible evacuation orders, unsafe evacuation conditions, disproportionate impacts from aid restrictions, and the loss of assistive devices. Concerns are raised about Israel’s classification of assistive devices as “dual-use items,” hindering their entry into Gaza. The committee calls for increased humanitarian aid, better protection measures for the disabled, and specific protocols for evacuation and safe return of disabled people.
**News Article:**
**Gaza Conflict Leaves Thousands of Children Disabled, UN Report Finds**
*From a Global Perspective – with reporting from Geneva and Input from The Hindu news service*
**Geneva/New Delhi, September 3, 2025** – A United Nations committee has released a damning report detailing the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, revealing that at least 21,000 children have been left disabled since the escalation of hostilities began on October 7, 2023.
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities stated that around 40,500 children have suffered new war-related injuries, with over half resulting in lasting disabilities. The report shines a light on the unique challenges faced by disabled Gazans amid the conflict. Evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military were often inaccessible to those with hearing or visual impairments, effectively trapping them in danger zones.
“The situation in Gaza is heart-wrenching,” said a member of the committee. “Disabled individuals are facing immense difficulties in accessing basic necessities like food, water, and sanitation. The restrictions on humanitarian aid are disproportionately impacting this vulnerable population.”
The report also highlights concerns over the classification of assistive devices, such as wheelchairs and prosthetics, as “dual-use items” by Israeli authorities, preventing their entry into Gaza. This leaves many disabled people without essential mobility aids, hindering their access to aid and evacuation routes.
“83 percent of disabled people have lost their assistive devices, with most unable to afford alternatives,” the report states.
The committee is calling for a significant increase in humanitarian aid specifically targeted at persons with disabilities in Gaza. It also urges all parties involved in the conflict to adopt protection measures to prevent further violence, harm, deaths, and the deprivation of rights for this vulnerable group. It specifically asks that Israel adopt evacuation protocols and safe return to homes measures that take into account persons with disabilities.
The ongoing conflict has had a devastating effect on Gaza’s infrastructure and economy, further exacerbating the challenges faced by its already vulnerable population. The report is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for international action to protect the rights and well-being of disabled individuals in Gaza.
First Piper 