Israeli blasts in Gaza deafen thousands as treatment is blocked

Even after the ceasefire agreement last month, the healthcare system in Gaza has remained in crisis under Israel’s blockade, with around only 50 percent of hospitals partially functional, chronic shortages of medicines and equipment, and 229 essential drugs completely unavailable, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Israel has killed around 70,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 170,000 in two years. 

Israel’s destruction of rehabilitation centres and the displacement or killing of trained staff has created a severe shortage of medical and audiology equipment, Yusra Basil, an audiology specialist at the health ministry, explained.

"Gaza lacks all treatment options for severe hearing loss, including cochlear implants, hearing aids, specialised batteries and medical devices for hearing rehabilitation - all are blocked from entering the strip due to Israel’s closure of border crossings,” she said.

A field survey covering the period of Israel’s war from 2023 to 2025 by Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children found that 35,000 children and adults have lost hearing temporarily, partially or permanently as a direct result of explosions caused by Israeli F-16 strikes and explosive vehicles.

“That’s three times higher than pre-war levels,” Fadi Abed, director of Atfaluna Society, told MEE.

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