These include severe limb injuries, amputations, spinal cord trauma, traumatic brain injuries, and severe burns.
Israeli forces advanced into Gaza in response to the October 7, 2023 terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in southern Israel.
Dr Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, stressed that the increased rehabilitation needs come alongside the widespread collapse of Gaza's health infrastructure.
“Patients are unable to receive the care they need. Acute rehabilitation services are severely disrupted and there is no specialist care available for complex injuries.putting patients’ lives at risk. Immediate and long-term support is urgently needed to address the enormous rehabilitation needs.”
Non-existent services
Services such as wound care, physiotherapy and psychological support are inaccessible or completely unavailable, leaving thousands of people at risk of further complications, disabilities or even death.
According to the UN health agency, Only 17 of Gaza's 36 hospitals are still partially operationalPrimary health care and community services are frequently suspended due to insecurity, attacks and repeated evacuation orders.
Gaza's only limb reconstruction and rehabilitation centre, located at the WHO-supported Nasser Medical Complex, has been non-operational since December 2023 due to lack of supplies and staff, and was further damaged in a raid in February 2024.
In addition, the loss of trained physiotherapists due to fighting between Israel and Hamas has further hampered rehabilitation efforts.
Buildings destroyed and severely damaged in Khan Younis.
Thousands more at risk
The figures, detailed in the WHO analysis Estimating trauma rehabilitation needs in Gaza using injury data from emergency medical teamsreflect data as of July 23.
In addition to the new injuries, tens of thousands of Palestinians already living with chronic illnesses or disabilities are now at increased risk due to the collapse of critical services, the WHO said.
As hostilities continue, WHO stressed the need for safe access to all essential health services, including rehabilitation, to prevent further suffering.
He renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate aid, rebuild the health system and save lives.
Economic devastation
The ongoing conflict has also left Gaza's already fragile economy in ruins.
According to a report released Thursday by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Strip Gross domestic product (GDP) has fallen by a staggering 81 percentpushing the region into an unprecedented economic crisis.
Massive job losses and rising unemployment have worsened poverty, leaving most families in dire need of humanitarian assistance, UNCTAD said, adding that the West Bank economy has also been severely affected by violence, demolitions, confiscations and settlement expansions.
Calculations based on the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics quarterly national accounts.
“The Palestinian government Fiscal stability is under enormous pressurejeopardizing their ability to function effectively and deliver essential services,” he said.
The report calls for urgent intervention by the international community to stabilise the economy, rebuild infrastructure and support long-term peace efforts in the region.
“This includes considering A comprehensive recovery plan for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, increased international aid and support, release of withheld revenues and lifting of the blockade on Gaza.”
Experts denounce harassment of journalists
In a press release issued on Thursday, independent UN human rights experts condemned the increasing violence, harassment and obstruction of justice against journalists in the West Bank since the start of the Israeli military offensive there on August 27.
“We strongly denounce the attacks and harassment of journalists in the illegally occupied West Bank, which are nothing more than crude attempts by the Israeli military to block independent reporting on possible war crimes.“said the experts appointed by the Human Rights Council.
In at least three incidents in September, Israeli security forces fired live ammunition at journalists and their vehicles in Jenin and Tulkarm while they were reporting on military operations and civilian casualties.
Four other people were injured, although several of them were wearing clearly marked press jackets.
Israeli forces also prevented journalists – including an Al Jazeera team – from carrying out their work, forcing them to delete material and subjecting them to intimidation. At least one journalist was arbitrarily detained and interrogated, while many others reported being chased by bulldozers operated by Israeli security forces.
Contempt for the press
“It is deeply disturbing to see Israeli soldiers in the West Bank mirroring the same disregard for the safety of journalists as they did in Gaza, in flagrant violation of international law. Foreign media continue to be denied access to Gaza and their security in the West Bank is now also seriously threatened, severely hampering their journalistic work.“, the experts said.
Since October 2023, at least 29 journalists have been detained by Israeli forces in the West Bank and three by the Palestinian Authority. Some of them remain under administrative detention and cases of ill-treatment, including sexual and gender-based violence, have been documented.
The experts added that Israel, as the occupying power, must respect the work and safety of journalists in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as required by international law. They also noted that they are in contact with the Israeli government on this issue.
The experts, appointed and authorized by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, are mandated to monitor and report on specific thematic or country-specific situations. They are not United Nations staff and do not receive any salary for their work.
