Medical statistics from field hospitals operating in Gaza reveal that children under 15 accounted for nearly one-third of all patients treated for injuries last year. The data, drawn from multiple medical facilities primarily located in southern and central regions, documented over 90,000 wound-related consultations throughout 2024.
Approximately half of these injuries resulted from explosive weapons, gunfire, or shelling. Medical personnel report that explosive ordnance designed for battlefield use is increasingly deployed in populated areas, where temporary shelters provide minimal protection against blasts, shrapnel, and incendiary effects.
In two medical facilities, nearly 60% of lower-limb injuries were linked to explosive weapons, frequently involving severe damage to bone, muscle, and tissue. Medical staff emphasize that these figures likely underrepresent the true scale of casualties, as many perish immediately at impact sites without reaching medical care. Vulnerable populations including children, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities face particular challenges in escaping danger zones.
Beyond conflict-related injuries, hazardous living conditions contribute significantly to the medical burden. Over half of recorded wounds stemmed from domestic accidents, road incidents, and unsafe environments in areas where basic infrastructure has been extensively damaged.
Medical organizations report critical shortages of essential supplies, with some facilities reducing patient meals to one or two per day. Aid groups warn that food stocks may be exhausted within weeks without improved access for humanitarian assistance.
The challenging conditions in temporary settlements, where sanitation systems and roads have been destroyed, further strain the limited healthcare infrastructure still functioning in the region.
