Gaza Amputees Face Prosthetic Shortage Amid Israeli Restrictions
Nearly 5,000 war amputees in Gaza, including many children, are suffering from a severe shortage of prosthetic limbs due to Israeli restrictions on essential materials like plaster of Paris. The conflict has resulted in a per capita amputee rate exceeding that of post-war Cambodia. Medical facilities, such as the Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani Rehabilitation Hospital, report exhausted supplies and are forced to reuse limbs from deceased individuals or create makeshift devices, posing significant health risks. Although the October ceasefire and U.S. President Donald Trump’s aid plan promised unrestricted assistance, medical evacuations remain irregular, and import bans on dual-use items continue to hinder relief efforts. Israel’s COGAT agency cites security concerns regarding potential military use by Hamas, while international aid groups like the Red Cross and Humanity & Inclusion warn that current production levels are insufficient to meet the overwhelming demand. This humanitarian crisis highlights the gap between diplomatic pledges and the reality on the ground, leaving thousands without adequate mobility or rehabilitation support.
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Gaza Amputees Face Prosthetic Shortage Amid Israeli Restrictions
Nearly 5,000 war amputees in Gaza, including many children, are suffering from a severe shortage of prosthetic limbs due to Israeli restrictions on essential materials like plaster of Paris. The conflict has resulted in a per capita amputee rate exceeding that of post-war Cambodia. Medical facilities, such as the Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani Rehabilitation Hospital, report exhausted supplies and are forced to reuse limbs from deceased individuals or create makeshift devices, posing significant health risks. Although the October ceasefire and U.S. President Donald Trump’s aid plan promised unrestricted assistance, medical evacuations remain irregular, and import bans on dual-use items continue to hinder relief efforts. Israel’s COGAT agency cites security concerns regarding potential military use by Hamas, while international aid groups like the Red Cross and Humanity & Inclusion warn that current production levels are insufficient to meet the overwhelming demand. This humanitarian crisis highlights the gap between diplomatic pledges and the reality on the ground, leaving thousands without adequate mobility or rehabilitation support.
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