Summary
Some Palestinians in Gaza, who have lost limbs due to the ongoing conflict with Israel, are making their own prosthetic limbs. This comes in response to damaged medical facilities and a lack of necessary equipment. Many children are affected, and Gaza has a high number of child amputees per capita.
Key Facts
- Since October 2023, about 42,000 Palestinians have had serious injuries, with 6,000 needing amputations or other major limb or spinal surgeries.
- Due to the conflict, Gaza's medical facilities have been damaged, making it hard to get the medical equipment needed.
- A significant number of amputees in Gaza are children, with one in four amputations happening to children over the past two years.
- The UN reports that since October 2023, at least 21,000 Palestinian children in Gaza have become disabled.
- More than 69,000 Palestinians have died, and more than 170,000 have been injured due to the conflict in Gaza.
- Some Palestinians are using makeshift materials like sewage pipes and string to create prosthetic limbs to help regain mobility.
- Few Palestinian children have been evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment.
- Individuals like Rateb Abu Qaliq and Ibrahim Abdel Nabi are examples of those who have made their own prosthetics to continue their daily activities.
