2026-01-22T08:59:07+00:00
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Shafaq News – Gaza
Hundreds of children with spinal injuries in Gaza face permanent disability as the health system teeters on the brink of collapse and specialized rehabilitation programs remain absent, Shafaq News correspondent noted on Thursday.
In the physical rehabilitation ward of the Palestinian Red Crescent field hospital, severe cases reveal the toll of spinal injuries. Janan Abu Amra, 12, was shot by Israeli naval fire in Khan Yunis and suffered a complete spinal cord injury that paralyzed his lower extremities and disrupted vital bodily functions.
Speaking to Shafaq News, her mother explained that the resources available in the field hospitals are extremely limited and do not correspond to the severity of the condition, adding that a medical referral from the World Health Organization (WHO) is pending while they wait for the border to open and a host country to accept her.
Another affected child is Mousa Mohammed Al-Shaer, 10, who suffered an amputation of his right hand and partial paralysis due to a war-related injury. He received temporary rehabilitation before returning to his store, threatening his ability to resume school and daily life due to a lack of medical equipment.
Dr. Mohammad Hubi, a neurologist, noted that “thousands of war shrapnel wounds in Gaza have turned into serious spinal disorders,” noting that the crisis is worsening with the destruction of approximately 85% of Gaza’s health system.
The Strip’s Health Ministry reported that since Israel’s war began in October 2023, 71,551 people have been killed and 171,372 injured. More than 1,700 medical staff, including 42 physiotherapists, have died and more than 10,000 children are now living with severe disabilities.
Warning that these disorders can lead to complete or partial paralysis and loss of respiratory control, Dr Hubi noted that the risks are further amplified by the denial of urgent surgeries for 90% of critical cases due to the lockdown.
Read more: Gaza’s forgotten wounded: a society rebuilt on crutches
