Health Consequences of the 2023 Gaza War and Displacement in the Gaza Strip

Background and Aim

The 2023 Gaza war and subsequent displacement have severely exacerbated physical and mental health challenges among adults and children, with limited access to healthcare, trauma, and deteriorating living conditions intensifying the crisis. This study examines the overall health impacts of the 2023 Gaza War and displacement on adults and children.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data from 1500 individuals (800 adults and 700 children) across the Gaza Strip, focusing on physical health, mental well-being, and healthcare access. Data were collected using structured questionnaires administered by trained fieldworkers. The survey assessed physical health, mental health, and healthcare access:

Results

Findings reveal severe psychological distress among adults, with 65% reporting significant mental health challenges and 45% exhibiting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. For children, 70% showed signs of anxiety or depression, and 30% exhibited severe behavioral issues linked to violence and displacement. Physical health assessments indicate that 55% of adults suffer from chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, worsened by stress and limited medical access. Only 28% of displaced families reported having adequate access to healthcare, with barriers including damaged infrastructure and shortages of medical supplies. A strong correlation between prolonged displacement and adverse health outcomes, with displaced individuals experiencing a 60% higher rate of health issues compared to non-displaced populations (r = 0.9).

Conclusions

The study highlights the severe, long-term health impacts of the Gaza War, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions, especially for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. These findings underscore the urgency of addressing health needs in conflict-affected regions to foster recovery and resilience.

Key messages

• The 2023 Gaza war has triggered a major health crisis: high levels of PTSD, anxiety, and chronic disease among adults and children, worsened by displacement and severely limited access to healthcare.

• Displacement is strongly linked to poorer health outcomes: displaced people show 60% higher health problems, while most families lack adequate healthcare access in Gaza’s damaged health system.