Fri Nov 14 10:52:21 UTC 2025: Summary:
Due to the destruction of medical facilities and restrictions on supplies in Gaza, Palestinians who have lost limbs in the recent conflict with Israel are resorting to creating homemade prosthetics. The war has resulted in a high number of amputations, particularly among children, making Gaza the place with the highest number of child amputees per capita. Stories like those of Rateb, a young boy who lost a leg in an attack, and Ibrahim Abdel Nabi, who was shot while seeking aid, highlight the dire circumstances and the resilience of Gazans in adapting to their new realities. International organizations report alarming numbers of disabled children and casualties, reflecting the devastating impact of the war on the population.
News Article:
Gaza Faces Child Amputee Crisis as Homemade Prosthetics Become a Necessity
Gaza City, Palestine – Besieged Gaza is grappling with a surge in amputations, particularly among children, leaving the region with the highest per capita number of child amputees in the world. Devastating strikes and a crippled healthcare system have forced residents to turn to makeshift solutions, crafting their own prosthetics from materials like sewage pipes and rope.
The ongoing conflict, which began in October 2023, has left over 42,000 Palestinians injured, including approximately 6,000 with amputations or severe limb and spinal injuries. A quarter of these amputations have been performed on children over the past two years, according to the International Rescue Committee.
Nine-year-old Rateb Abu Qaliq lost his leg in an Israeli attack that killed his mother and brother. Unable to participate in sports he once loved, Rateb was heartbroken until his cousin fashioned a prosthetic from a sewage pipe, allowing him to play again. His story reflects a widespread struggle in Gaza.
Similarly, Ibrahim Abdel Nabi, a father of four, lost a leg after being shot while waiting for food aid. With limited access to medical care, he and his wife constructed a prosthetic leg from a sewage pipe, wire, and nails, restoring his mobility to provide for his family.
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) estimates that at least 21,000 Palestinian children have been disabled in Gaza since October 2023. UNICEF reports that over 64,000 children have been killed or wounded in the conflict.
The severe limitations on medical supplies and equipment, coupled with the destruction of healthcare infrastructure, have exacerbated the crisis, forcing Palestinians to rely on their ingenuity and resourcefulness to cope with life-altering injuries. The situation highlights the urgent need for increased humanitarian aid and a lasting resolution to the conflict to prevent further suffering and ensure access to proper medical care for the wounded and disabled.
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