UNITED NATIONS, October 3 — The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached alarming proportions in recent months, as intensifying hostilities have led to mass civilian displacement and a healthcare system that is teetering on the brink of collapse. United Nations officials are sounding the alarm, revealing that thousands of civilians are grappling with life-changing injuries that remain untreated due to the overwhelming demands on an already fragile medical infrastructure.
The ongoing ground offensive by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has prompted a series of evacuation orders, compelling civilians to flee from the northern regions of Gaza to the south. As of October 1, all remaining health facilities in Gaza are functioning at less than optimal capacity, facing dire shortages of medical supplies and severely limiting access to essential and emergency services. Shelters have become overcrowded, where thousands of patients find themselves in environments plagued by poor sanitation, malnutrition, and the constant threat of violence.
“Families in southern Gaza are squeezed into these overcrowded shelters or makeshift tents along the coast,” said UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq. “Many others are sleeping out in the open, often amid rubble. New arrivals in the south face poor sanitation, lack of privacy and safety, and a high risk of children being separated from their families—all while being exposed to explosive ordnance.”
On October 2, the World Health Organization (WHO) provided a sobering update on the scale of medical needs in Gaza. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s Representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, shared that approximately 42,000 civilians have sustained life-altering injuries, with around one-quarter of those affected being children.
“These life-changing injuries account for one-quarter of all reported injuries, totaling over 167,300 since October 2023,” Peeperkorn reported. “Survivors are struggling with trauma, loss, and the daily fight for survival, as psychosocial support services remain alarmingly scarce.”
The humanitarian report indicates a staggering increase in the number of civilians requiring long-term rehabilitation for injuries sustained in the conflict, nearly doubling from 22,500 in July 2024 to at least 41,844 by September. The WHO has recorded a high incidence of blast-related injuries, including amputations, burns, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries. These conditions often lead to severe impairments and disfigurements, with many patients unable to access critical life-saving care.
Furthermore, the report underscores a critical shortage of reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation services, exacerbated by prevailing famine, unsanitary living conditions, disease outbreaks, and a dire lack of psychosocial support. Vulnerable populations, including individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions, are bearing the brunt of the crisis, facing significant barriers to receiving long-term care.
The recent uptick in cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome—a debilitating autoimmune disorder—has further complicated the situation. Medical professionals predict that the long-term repercussions of famine, disease, and displacement will hinder Gazans’ recovery for years to come.
Peeperkorn highlighted the challenges of recovery, particularly due to rampant food insecurity. “Physicians and medical specialists in hospitals have reported that even simple trauma wounds are healing slowly because almost all patients are malnourished. The entire recovery process is significantly prolonged,” he explained.
According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), humanitarian organizations managed to deliver just over 14,400 metric tons of food to Gaza through the UN-coordinated aid system—less than 26 percent of the amount needed to meet basic daily nutritional requirements. Tragically, over 77 percent of this aid was lost during transit, severely limiting distribution to those in desperate need.
“While there has been a slight increase in food availability, prices remain prohibitively high for many families, and the food options are not diverse enough to cater to vulnerable groups,” Peeperkorn noted.
Currently, fewer than 14 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are still operational, with only eight functioning in Gaza City. Between September 11 and 28, the WHO recorded 44 health service points that became non-operational. Peeperkorn reported that approximately 200,000 to 300,000 civilians have fled from northern Gaza to the south, while about 800,000 to 900,000 remain in the north, where access to basic services is particularly strained.
“Health services in the northern Gaza governorate are now accessible through just one functioning medical point, which is facing rapid shortages of essential items, such as dressing kits and post-operative wound care materials, critically impacting our ability to manage trauma cases effectively,” he stated.
Despite WHO’s efforts to position medical supplies for delivery to Gaza, ongoing insecurity and access restrictions continue to obstruct their distribution. Consequently, health facilities are unable to provide care beyond basic emergency treatment.
The WHO has urgently called for medical evacuations for severe cases, particularly those involving traumatic brain injuries, as many patients endure multiple forms of trauma. An estimated 15,000 people, including 3,800 children, urgently require specialized care outside Gaza. “We need more countries to accept patients and restore the referral pathways through the West Bank and East Jerusalem,” Peeperkorn emphasized.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the urgent need for humanitarian aid, medical support, and international intervention has never been more critical. The lives of countless civilians hang in the balance, and the international community must act decisively to address this escalating crisis.
