The Amputee Crisis in Gaza
The conflict over land in the Middle East stretches back centuries, all the way to biblical times. However, the specific conflict between the two Palestinian territories, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and the State of Israel has been raging ever since Israel became a country in 1948. This conflict, which was reignited during recent protests in East Jerusalem, has resulted in many injuries, lost limbs, and deaths, mainly for the Palestinians living in the region.
With the recent escalation of the conflict, Israel has turned to aerial strikes, rocket attacks, and bombings of the densely-populated Gaza Strip, sometimes taking out buildings, entire neighborhoods, and catching innocent civilians in the middle. This fighting has led to an amputee crisis in Gaza which is even more devastating for the children affected by it. In 2019, Israeli forces open-fired on Palestinian protestors resulting in 120 amputations, 20 of which were children.
Whether the injuries are sustained from gunshots or bombings, Palestinians are at risk of osteomyelitis (bone infection) if they do not receive medical treatment quickly enough. In a territory that relies on aid for things like food and water since Israel controls all border access, medical treatment is not always readily available. This causes many injuries to require amputation.
The problems do not stop after the amputations are complete, either. Amputees require prostheses, like prosthetic legs or arms, to help them get around. With few medical resources, it is often difficult for amputees to receive personalized prostheses and training on how to use them.
To help with the amputee crisis in Gaza, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) has created the Gaza Amputee Project to help provide surgery, treatment, and prostheses for child amputees. Our humanitarian work has never been more important or time-sensitive due to the recent violence in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
PCRF is not a political or religious organization. Our mission is to provide medical and humanitarian relief collectively and individually to Arab children throughout the Middle East, regardless of their nationality, politics, or religion. We rely on charitable giving to provide medical treatment, surgeries, safety, shelter, and support to children and their families suffering from this crisis. Find out how you can get involved and help make a difference in children’s lives today!