Over 6% of Gaza's 2.3 Million Population Killed or Injured in 1 year of Israeli Assault: WHO

Over 6% of Gaza's population—approximately 138,000 individuals—have been killed or injured during during the last one year of Israeli assault, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed.

This situation escalated after a Hamas-led incursion into Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to severe consequences for civilians.

Ayadil Saparbekov, the WHO's team lead for health emergencies in the occupied Palestinian territory, reported, "It has been 12 months, and the hostilities in Gaza continue to rage. Over 6% of the population of 2.3 million have either been killed or injured, while at least 10,000 people remain trapped under the rubble."

"The healthcare system in Gaza has been severely impacted, facing repeated attacks and ongoing shortages of essential supplies, medicines, fuel, and staff. Since the onset of hostilities, there have been at least 516 attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in 765 deaths. Currently, only half of Gaza's hospitals are operational, and just 43% of primary healthcare centers are functioning. The available hospitals have a bed capacity of approximately 1,500, supplemented by 650 beds in 10 field hospitals—still insufficient for the overwhelming need."

Saparbekov also emphasized the grave toll on health workers, with around 1,000 killed, which he described as "an irreplaceable loss." Furthermore, around 24,090 individuals are living with life-altering injuries without access to rehabilitation services. Mental health issues have surged, impacting over 485,000 people already diagnosed before the conflict.

Regarding medical evacuations, Saparbekov noted that out of 15,600 requested cases, only 5,138 (32.9%) have been approved. He called for the establishment of multiple medical evacuation corridors to ensure safe and timely passage for patients. Since the closure of the Rafah crossing in May, only 219 patients have been evacuated. The WHO has faced significant challenges, with only 44% of its planned 214 missions since October 2023 successfully facilitated.

As the conflict unfolded, Israel launched an offensive on the Gaza Strip in response to a cross-border raid by Hamas that resulted in fewer than 1,200 fatalities. Since then, Israeli forces have reportedly killed nearly 41,800 people, mostly women and children, and injured nearly 97,000 others, according to local health authorities.

The ongoing Israeli assault has led to the displacement of almost the entire population of Gaza, exacerbated by a blockade that has caused severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies. Malnutrition is also a critical issue, with over 20,241 children admitted for treatment, including 4,437 suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Alarmingly, over 96% of women and children aged 6-23 months are not meeting their nutritional needs.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) spokesman Louise Wateridge has expressed deep concern for civilians facing renewed military offensives and deteriorating conditions amid an ongoing blockade, leading to critical shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.