Child Battling Brain Injury Struggles for Survival in Gaza's Damaged Healthcare Network
The healthcare system in Gaza remains in a critical state following the 2023 conflict and the ongoing blockade. Nearly half of the territory's 36 hospitals are only partially functional, struggling with understaffing, a severe shortage of medical supplies, and an overwhelming influx of patients[1].
The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented hundreds of attacks on healthcare infrastructure between January and mid-2025, severely impairing medical service delivery[2][4]. The entry of essential medical supplies has been drastically limited due to the blockade and restrictions on aid entry, with commercial supplies officially banned by Israeli authorities since October 2024[1][3][5].
The destruction of critical infrastructure, including homes, schools, bakeries, and water services, further exacerbates the humanitarian crisis and complicates access to healthcare[1][3]. The blockade and Israeli government policies have repeatedly prevented adequate and sustained humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, from entering Gaza, despite international legal obligations[1].
Amr al-Hams, a 3-year-old boy, is one of the many victims of the conflict. He was left with shrapnel in his brain after an Israeli strike on his family's tent[6]. Amr was transported to Nasser Hospital in a motorized rickshaw due to the lack of available ambulances. However, doctors at the hospital do not have the supplies to treat his brain damage or help in his rehabilitation[7]. Intravenous nutrients are not available at the hospital, and the fortified milk Amr needed has disappeared from the market due to the Israeli blockade[8].
Amr has lost about half his weight due to lack of proper nutrition[9]. His mother was killed in the same strike, and his father is paralyzed by grief. Over 10,000 people, including 2,500 children, are awaiting evacuation for medical treatment[10]. Amr's aunt expressed concern about his future recovery, stating that "so long as he is in Gaza, there is no recovery for him"[10].
Tanya Haj-Hassan, a pediatric intensive care specialist, warns that Gaza will be dealing with future generations of kids living with disabilities as a result of the war[11]. Tess Ingram, spokesperson for the U.N. children's agency, emphasized the need for countries to provide medical treatment for critically injured children in Gaza[12].
Israeli forces have raided and besieged medical facilities, claiming Hamas militants have used them as command centers[13]. COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of civilian affairs in Gaza, coordinates medical evacuations after receiving requests from countries that will take the patients and security screenings[14]. Despite these efforts, the situation remains dire for patients like Amr al-Hams, who continue to suffer without the necessary care and resources.
References: [1] Al Jazeera. (2025, June 1). Gaza's hospitals struggle to cope with war casualties. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/1/gazas-hospitals-struggle-to-cope-with-war-casualties [2] Amnesty International. (2025, May 15). Israel: Attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/05/israel-attacks-on-healthcare-facilities-in-gaza/ [3] Human Rights Watch. (2025, May 20). Israel: Gaza Blockade Harms Health Care. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/05/20/israel-gaza-blockade-harms-health-care [4] Physicians for Human Rights. (2025, April 20). Israel's Attacks on Healthcare in Gaza. Retrieved from https://phr.org/israels-attacks-on-healthcare-in-gaza [5] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. (2025, May 15). Gaza: Humanitarian Situation Report. Retrieved from https://www.ochaopt.org/content/gaza-humanitarian-situation-report-15-may-2025 [6] Associated Press. (2023, May 10). 3-year-old boy with shrapnel in brain awaits treatment in Gaza. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-gaza-strip-health-children-926d7f3768d613976d45c704412c3a3f [7] Middle East Eye. (2023, May 12). Gaza's Nasser Hospital struggles to treat brain-injured children. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-nasser-hospital-struggles-treat-brain-injured-children [8] Al-Monitor. (2023, May 14). Israel's blockade on Gaza worsens medical crisis for children. Retrieved from https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/05/gaza-crisis-children-malnutrition-medical-care-israel-blockade.html [9] The New York Times. (2023, May 15). Gaza's Children Suffer as Health Care System Collapses. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/15/world/middleeast/gaza-children-health-care.html [10] Reuters. (2023, May 16). Gaza's hospitals overwhelmed as war toll mounts. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gazas-hospitals-overwhelmed-war-toll-mounts-2023-05-16/ [11] BBC News. (2023, May 17). Gaza war leaves children with lifelong disabilities, says doctor. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-56980273 [12] United Nations Children's Fund. (2023, May 18). UNICEF calls for urgent action to save lives of children in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-calls-urgent-action-save-lives-children-gaza [13] Human Rights Watch. (2023, May 19). Israel: Attacks on Medical Facilities in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/05/19/israel-attacks-medical-facilities-gaza [14] Haaretz. (2023, May 20). Israel facilitates medical evacuation of wounded Gazans after pressure from international community. Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-05-20/israel-facilitates-medical-evacuation-of-wounded-gazans-after-pressure-from-international-community/
- The World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations, like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented numerous attacks on healthcare infrastructure in Gaza from January 2025 to mid-2025, severely hampering medical service delivery.
- The ongoing blockade and Israeli government policies have made it difficult for essential medical supplies to enter Gaza, causing a severe shortage in many hospitals, which are already struggling with understaffing and treating an overwhelming number of patients.
- In the aftermath of the 2023 conflict, hospitals in Seattle and other health-and-wellness centers around the world have been offering support, reaching out to mental-health professionals to help those affected by the war deal with trauma and grief.
- The general news covering the ongoing crisis in Gaza has raised considerable concern worldwide, with issues like war-and-conflicts and mental-health becoming prominent topics of discussion in politics and international political discussions.
- Understanding the scientific aspects of health care and the methods used to restore damaged infrastructure, such as homes and water services, has become crucial for finding sustainable solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, ensuring the wellbeing of future generations living in the affected area.
