Go to main content

Ceasefire announced at Gaza, HI prepares to rehabilitate over 500

Emergency Rehabilitation
Occupied Palestinian Territories

An announced ceasefire between Gaza and Israel enables Humanity & Inclusion (HI) teams to begin providing rehabilitation services for over 500 people in need

HI Staff assists injured civilian in rehabilitation session in Gaza, 2018

HI Staff assists injured civilian in rehabilitation session in Gaza, 2018 | © Hardy Skills / HI – Archive

Twelve days after the most recent escalation of violence in the Gaza strip and Israel, the parties involved have announced a ceasefire. 
This long awaited break comes after nearly 8 days of constant bombings resulted in 242 lives lost between Gaza and Israel, including 67 children and 43 women . Over 1700 have sustained injuries. [1]

“We’ve been waiting for a ceasefire as soon as possible. We can now start responding to humanitarian needs with more ease and be able to intensify the distribution of a lot more aid than what we’ve done so far.”

Laurent Palustran, HI country manager for the region

According to a recent report by the UNWRA, around 91,000 people have been internally displaced, over 66,000 of which have sought shelter in the 58 UNWRA schools opened for their benefit. Amongst these, HI teams have been able to conduct needs assessments to determine next steps.

“We’re starting to get clearer data thanks to these evaluations. We have identified over 500 people in these shelters that are disabled and in need.”

Laurent Palustran

HI’s Rehabilitation Task Force Coordinator in Gaza, Reham Shaheen, explained the needs of the vulnerable populations HI serves in areas of conflict. Reham says, “Psychosocial support is one of the greatest needs. Many will lose a limb or an organ and will have psychological needs afterwards. People really need mental health and counselling to cope with the current situation. Then there is great need for multidisciplinary rehabilitation services, like physiotherapy and wound dressing sessions to prevent disabilities after injury.”

“Usually the needs of injured people change after a few weeks. There is either deterioration or improvement in their condition, so there is dire need for assistive devices and rehabilitation support as well.”

Reham Shaheen, Rehabilitation Task Force Coordinator in Gaza

At this time, HI is prepared to distribute mobility aids such as crutches, walkers and wheelchairs, along with Infection Prevention and Control kits to keep wounds clean and prevent infection that could lead to long-term ailments.

The region is also still in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic. “This escalation occurred while we’re being hit with a second wave of COVID19”, says Reham. “We have two emergencies, so there is a need for hygiene kits. People need to have clean environments to be able to avoid illness, and in terms of injuries, to keep their wounds clean to avoid any infections.”

While the civilians of Gaza and Israel finally can breathe easier for now, the greatest hope is that the ceasefire remains in place.


[1] Escalation in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Israel | Flash Update. (2021, May 20). United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Occupied Palestinian Territory. https://www.ochaopt.org/content/escalation-gaza-strip-west-bank-and-israel-flash-update-10-covering-1200-19-may-1200-20-may

Where your
support
helps

PRESS CONTACT

CANADA

Jahanzeb Hussain

 

Help them
concretely

To go further

GAZA: Leaders of major aid groups call on world leaders to intervene following UN genocide conclusion
© A. Mohammed / HI
Emergency

GAZA: Leaders of major aid groups call on world leaders to intervene following UN genocide conclusion

GAZA, 17 Sept 2025: The leaders of over 20 major aid agencies working in Gaza are calling on world leaders to urgently intervene after a UN commission concluded, for the first time, that genocide is being committed.
The statement is below:

Malak, 9, walks with new artificial leg
© Khalil Nateel / HI
Explosive weapons Rehabilitation

Malak, 9, walks with new artificial leg

Malak suffered severe injuries and underwent an above-the-knee amputation earlier this year… She is back on her feet after HI’s help.

Civilians are the main victims of cluster munitions
© C. Wright / ICBL-CMC / HI
Explosive weapons Rehabilitation

Civilians are the main victims of cluster munitions

Cluster munitions are forbidden by the 2008 Oslo Treaty. But they are regularly used in Ukraine, mainly in populated areas. Volodymyr is one among hundred victims.