In war zones and armed conflicts, persons with disabilities are mor vulnerable than other people. Reacting to alarm and finding a shelter may be difficult or even impossible for persons with visual and hearing impairment as well as those with restricted mobility or orientation difficulties.
International Humanitarian Law, provides protection for persons with disabilities in armed conflicts, recognizing their specific vulnerabilities and needs. It aims at to limit the effects of war and protect civilians and it specifically addresses the protection of persons with disabilities, requiring parties to treat them humanely and provide necessary medical care.
The UN-Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities states in Article 11 the following: “States Parties shall take, in accordance with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters.”
The International Laws and Human Rights approach bounds states to guarantee specific protections and obligations: they consist in
- Humane Treatment: Parties to conflicts must treat persons with disabilities humanely and without discrimination.
- Medical Care: Persons with disabilities must receive medical care to the fullest extent practicable and without delay.
- Access to Services: Efforts should be made to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to basic services like healthcare, water, and sanitation.
- Humanitarian Aid: Parties to conflicts must facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, including specialized assistance for persons with disabilities.
- Protection from Attacks: Persons with disabilities are entitled to the same protection from attacks as other civilians.
- Reasonable Accommodation: States Parties to the CRPD are obligated to provide reasonable accommodation to the rights of persons with disabilities both in the conduct of hostilities and when they are in the power of a party.
The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) too, points out that “Everyone living in the shadow of conflict faces unthinkable challenges in striving to protect themselves and their loved ones. For persons with disabilities, those challenges can be even more daunting. Many come up against additional barriers in seeking protection; some, particularly women and girls with disabilities, are physically unable to flee violence and many are vulnerable to human rights violations, violence and abuse, including sexual abuse.” Therefore “International humanitarian, human rights and refugee law require states to protect and assist persons with disabilities at all stages of the conflict cycle. In 2019, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2475 on the situation of persons with disabilities in armed conflict, which acknowledges the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on persons with disabilities, while reinforcing the obligations of all United Nations Member States” (https://www.unmas.org/en/persons-with-disabilities-armed-conflict).
In Gaza Strip, international humanitarian law and the principles of human rights are violated in many ways. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), “persons with disabilities suffer from catastrophic humanitarian conditions, exacerbated by the widespread destruction of infrastructure and basic services and their exposure to tragic displacement conditions in addition to the difficult psychological trauma they are exposed to.”
In 2024, the World Health Organization, estimates the number of serious injuries requiring continuous care and rehabilitation the number of serious life-changing injuries requiring continuous rehabilitation at about 25% of the total number of injuries. “These cases include between 13,455 and 17,550 severe limb injuries, in addition to 3,105 – 4,050 amputations, mostly of the lower limbs. In addition, the same report estimates about 2,000 major head and spinal cord injuries, and the number of burn injuries is estimated to be over 2,000. Spinal cord injuries and burns require immediate treatment and rehabilitation to prevent long-term effects, which may result in permanent disabilities.” (Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)).
The Palestinian Ministry of Health indicated that 70% of the total number of wounded are children and women. According to a report issued by Save the Children and quoted from UNICEF in January 2024, more than 1,000 children have had their limbs amputated, an average of more than 10 children per day during the first three months of the aggression.
The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics points out that the “conditions of the injured persons have been exacerbated by the systematic destruction of hospitals and rehabilitation centers, in addition to the strict restrictions imposed on the evacuation of patients and the limited entry of assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, and hearing aids, and the severe shortage of medical supplies and basic consumables. This systematic attack on health facilities and medical personnel has limited the health system’s ability to provide essential treatment to the injured persons, especially those with serious injuries such as spinal cord injuries and burns, which require immediate treatment and intensive rehabilitation to prevent long-term effects. Amidst this destruction, access to basic treatments and specialized services has become almost impossible, contributing to the deterioration of their health conditions and putting their lives at grave risk. Currently, only 17 out of 36 hospitals remain partially operational, while primary healthcare is often suspended or inaccessible due to insecurity, attacks and repeated evacuation orders. The only limb reconstruction and rehabilitation center in Nasser Medical Complex has been out of service since December 2023 due to the shortage of supplies and the displacement of specialized health workers, and was later destroyed after the Israeli attack on the hospital in February 2024. The Ministry of Health reports as of 23/11/2024 indicate that more than 1,000 health workers and specialists have been killed, and a previous report issued in May indicated that 39 physiotherapists were killed.”
Rehabilitation International urges Israeli Government to immediately stop the violations of International Laws and Human Rights during war in Gaza Strip and other areas in the region. This includes to set up a specific strategy and measures to protect persons with disabilities and to stop attacking hospitals and health and rehabilitation centers as well as protect women and children from injury through war weapons.
New York City, July 7, 2025
Signed on behalf of Rehabilitation International
Prof. Christoph Gutenbrunner, MD, PhD, FRCP, SFEBPRM
President of Rehabilitation International
The statement can be downloaded here
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