UN Experts Warn Gaza City Offensive Will Be Apocalyptic for Persons with Disabilities

United Nations experts have issued a stark warning that Israel’s ongoing offensive to seize control of Gaza City will unleash catastrophic consequences for civilians, particularly persons with disabilities, who are already enduring compounded suffering in the besieged enclave. The experts described the unfolding crisis as “apocalyptic” for Gaza’s disabled population, highlighting the grave risks to their survival amid what they called nearly two years of genocidal assault.

Extreme Hardships for People with Disabilities

According to testimonies from organizations of persons with disabilities in Gaza, individuals with mobility impairments face impossible challenges in fleeing bombardments. Some are forced to crawl through rubble, while others must be dragged on makeshift supports such as mattresses. For many, accessing emergency information is nearly impossible due to communication barriers.

“People with disabilities in Gaza are totally exhausted and traumatised,” the experts said. “They have endured unimaginable horrors, and the escalating offensive on Gaza City puts their very survival at grave risk.”

Layers of Suffering Amid Conflict

The experts noted a range of compounding crises:

• Indiscriminate attacks and repeated displacement.

• Collapse of infrastructure, leaving food, water, and medicine scarce.

• Inaccessible humanitarian aid, often distributed at unsafe or unsuitable sites.

• Breakdown of family and community support systems, critical lifelines for people with disabilities.

• Lack of adequate shelters, many of which are inaccessible.

As a result, people with disabilities face disproportionate risks of death, injury, starvation, dehydration, violence, and exploitation.

International Legal Obligations

The UN experts stressed that as the occupying power, Israel is bound by international humanitarian and human rights law, including Article 11 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which mandates protection and safety in situations of armed conflict. They urged all UN Member States to act urgently in line with Security Council Resolution 2475, which specifically addresses the protection of persons with disabilities during conflict.

“With the offensive on Gaza City likely to result in further crimes and suffering, urgent action is needed to uphold international law and prevent genocide and man-made famine,” they said.

Escalating Disability Crisis in Gaza

Even before the war escalated in October 2023, persons with disabilities were disproportionately affected by poverty and lack of access to essential services. The crisis has since worsened:

• Essential supplies and assistive devices—such as wheelchairs and hearing aids—have been blocked under Israel’s restrictions on so-called “dual-use” items.

• No wheelchairs have been allowed into Gaza since early 2025, creating dire conditions for people with mobility impairments.

• Skyrocketing prices: a pack of adult diapers has risen from $5 to $150, making survival unaffordable for many, especially older persons with disabilities.

• Women and girls with disabilities struggle to access sanitary products amid the collapse of hygiene infrastructure.

• Basic food and healthcare are out of reach for most.

“In Gaza, living with a disability amounts to a slow death — stripped of humanity and dignity,” the experts said.

Local Organizations Overwhelmed

Despite these conditions, local disability organizations continue to provide life-saving assistance. However, their capacity has been crippled by relentless bombardments, displacement, destruction of assets, and restrictions on aid. A new wave of offensives, the experts warned, could dismantle what little remains of these fragile support networks.

The Surge in Disability Cases Since 2023

The number of persons with disabilities in Gaza has surged dramatically. As of 8 September 2025, at least 163,096 Palestinians have been injured, with more than 25 percent expected to live with permanent impairments. Gaza now has the world’s highest number of child amputees, alongside a rising prevalence of hearing and visual impairments, mental health disorders, and psychosocial needs.

“This includes nearly every child in Gaza,” the experts said, pointing to widespread trauma and disablement.

A Campaign of Disablement

The experts described the situation as part of a deliberate strategy: “The genocide we are witnessing in Gaza is also a campaign of disablement – of people, resources, and infrastructure – to annihilate Palestinian life in Gaza. Persons with disabilities face some of the harshest protection barriers, and their voices must not be ignored.”

They urged the international community to prioritize the protection of people with disabilities, guarantee humanitarian access, and hold perpetrators accountable for violations of international law.