A new medical study has documented that civilians in Gaza are suffering injury patterns typically seen only among professional soldiers in intense combat zones, with some wound types occurring at higher rates than those recorded for U.S. military personnel in recent conflicts.
The research, published in a leading medical journal, analyzed nearly 24,000 trauma cases from Gaza and found explosive-related injuries accounted for approximately two-thirds of all wounds. Burn injuries proved particularly severe, comprising 18% of all trauma cases, with over 10% being fourth-degree burns that extend to bone tissue.
“These injury patterns reflect what we would expect to see in military professionals engaged in heavy combat, not civilian populations,” said one researcher involved in the study. “The distribution and severity of wounds are comparable to or exceed what we’ve documented in war zones.”
Medical professionals from 22 international organizations contributed data for the analysis, which covered a six-month period. The researchers noted that their findings likely represent only a fraction of the actual trauma burden, as the data excluded most fatal injuries and those who died before reaching medical facilities.
The study also highlighted how malnutrition has complicated medical treatment, delaying wound healing and leading to preventable deaths from otherwise treatable conditions. Remaining healthcare facilities in central and southern Gaza are reportedly overwhelmed by what medical staff describe as a “tsunami” of patients fleeing ongoing military operations.
The findings come as humanitarian organizations warn of deteriorating conditions throughout the territory, with limited medical supplies and overwhelmed healthcare workers struggling to provide adequate care.
