The Rehabilitation Sector at the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO) has issued a new fact sheet titled: “The Reality of People with Cerebral Palsy in the Gaza Strip Amid the Genocidal War and Famine – Urgent Needs and Grave Challenges.”
The paper sheds light on the severe violations faced by individuals with cerebral palsy amidst the ongoing Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip since October 2023.
The fact sheet revealed that people with cerebral palsy are among the most vulnerable groups during the war, facing a double threat: the denial of essential healthcare and rehabilitation services, assistive devices and the complete lack of therapeutic nutrition and critical medications, resulting in unrecorded fatalities.
It highlighted that the Israeli siege imposed since March 2025 has significantly worsened the crisis, depriving patients of special dietary items such as therapeutic milk and nutritional supplements. In addition, the collapse of enteral feeding due to the lack of basic medical supplies has led to severe health complications including wasting, dehydration, and choking during swallowing.
The paper further stressed that the collapse of the health system, difficulties in forcible displacement, lack of accessible shelters, and the absence of early and accessible warnings have exposed people with cerebral palsy to increased risks of injury or death during bombardment or forced displacement. It also pointed to the deterioration of their psychological and social wellbeing, as a result of prolonged isolation, disrupted routines, and the suspension of psychological support services.
The paper urgently called for the inclusion of persons with disabilities, especially those with cerebral palsy, among the top priorities of humanitarian and health interventions. It emphasized the need to secure the consistent provision of therapeutic food, diapers, medications, and essential supplies.
It also recommended the establishment of an accurate database to identify their locations and assess their needs, and called for support to specialized local organizations working in this field.
Finally, the fact sheet warned that the treatment of people with cerebral palsy under current conditions constitutes a blatant violation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and international humanitarian law, especially given the lack of effective protection for this group during armed conflict, and demanded accountability for Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of genocide against the most vulnerable civilians.
