41,000 Palestinians killed, including 16,750 children; over 95,500 injured, with 22,500 suffering from permanent physical trauma; 1.9 million displaced, accounting for 90% of Gaza's population, of which 1 million are children; and 19,000 orphans. These are the statistics from one year of conflict in Gaza, reported in Human Rights Watch’s latest publication.
These overwhelming numbers were gathered through interviews with 20 families with disabled children, a disabled teenage girl, 5 doctors, and 8 humanitarian organizations, exposing widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws by both parties. Violations include the blockade of essential goods, indiscriminate attacks on residential areas and hospitals, which turned Gaza into a “cemetery for children,” as stated by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Moreover, NGOs such as Save the Children estimate that as of June, around 21,000 children remain missing.
Impact on Civilians and Children
Focusing on the traumas of war, Human Rights Watch highlights the devastating effects of explosive weapons on children, often resulting in lifelong injuries. This is the case for Malek, a 13-year-old who survived but lost an arm and was evacuated to the UAE in December for extensive surgeries. Similarly, Ahed (17 years old), Alaa (7 years old), and Ahmed (9 months old) have suffered. The use of explosive weapons is even more catastrophic in densely populated areas. A CNN investigation found that 40% of the 29,000 airstrikes conducted in Gaza between October 2023 and February 2024 were unguided, with 75,000 tons of explosives dropped, 10% of which remained unexploded. Such indiscriminate attacks pose severe threats to civilians, causing physical and psychological harm, and worsening disabilities.
Health System and Disabilities
The right to health in this context is severely compromised: the 505 attacks on hospitals and healthcare centers in Gaza are evidence of this. With only 17 hospitals partially functional, accessing basic medical services is nearly impossible for a large part of the civilian population. Humanitarian aid is hard to bring in, timely treatments are limited, and many need to be evacuated outside Gaza for adequate care. This situation affects not only the wounded but also those requiring daily medical or psychological assistance, representing a violation of humanitarian obligations. The limited hospital functionality, shortage of essential medicines, and need for evacuation are confirmed by 4,895 cases recorded between October 2023 and July 2024.
Recommendations
Human Rights Watch urges the Israeli government to protect and ensure the safety of children with disabilities in accordance with international norms, to comply with the International Court of Justice’s measures to protect Gaza’s population from the risk of genocide, and to guarantee access to humanitarian aid and healthcare services. Both parties in the conflict are called to cease indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks against civilians and to respect medical personnel and healthcare services. All governments are urged to condemn violations of international norms and the committed war crimes.
______________________
To read more, please visit:
https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/media_2024/10/israel_palestine0924%20web.pdf
