"Israel’s" aggression on Gaza: unprecedented toll on Palestinian women
"Israel’s" genocidal war on Gaza has left more than 2,000 Palestinian women and girls permanently disabled, the Gaza government's media office reported on International Women’s Day.
In a statement, Salama Maarouf, head of the media office, highlighted the severe and lasting impact of the "Israeli" assault. “The "Israeli" aggression in Gaza has caused irreversible damage to the lives of countless Palestinian women and girls, particularly in the wake of "Israel's" ongoing genocidal campaign,” he stated.
Maarouf detailed that 2,000 women and girls have suffered permanent disabilities, including amputations. Additionally, 162 women have contracted contagious diseases, and many others have been subjected to torture in "Israeli" detention centers.
Beyond physical injuries, the aggression has devastated the lives of Palestinian women in profound ways. According to Maarouf, 13,901 women have been widowed and forced to become the sole providers for their families, while 17,000 mothers have lost their children.
The dire humanitarian conditions have also led to tragic pregnancy outcomes, with 50,000 pregnant women losing their babies due to starvation, dehydration, and lack of medical care.
He stressed that the ongoing "Israeli" siege and the obstruction of humanitarian aid have worsened living conditions for women, who now suffer from severe hunger and dehydration.
“The occupation forces have cold-bloodedly killed 12,316 Palestinian women since the beginning of the assault,” Maarouf added.
Human Rights Watch noted that the casualty figures reported by Gaza’s health authorities do not include those who perished due to disease or remained trapped under rubble. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights verified that 70 percent of the total fatalities—approximately 8,200—were women and children.
International human rights organizations have further documented the widespread outbreak of infectious diseases and severe injuries, which have contributed to the rising death toll in Gaza. As of Jan. 18, 2025, the Gaza Health Ministry recorded 110,725 injuries, with women and children comprising 69 percent of those wounded. Additionally, 70 percent of the 14,222 missing persons in Gaza are women and children.
A ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement took effect on Jan. 19, halting "Israel’s" brutal war, which has claimed over 48,400 Palestinian lives, most of them women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.
Last November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Meanwhile, "Israel" faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its military campaign.
Palestinian women under attack: Journalists, detainees
"Israeli" forces have also systematically targeted Palestinian female journalists during the aggression. According to Gaza government officials, 24 female journalists were killed while reporting on the ground.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club reported that "Israel" continues to detain 21 Palestinian women, including a 12-year-old girl, under harsh conditions and systematic abuses. In a statement marking International Women’s Day on March 8, the organization emphasized that "the Israeli Occupation has long used the detention of Palestinian women as a systematic policy, targeting even minors."
According to the club, female prisoners in "Israeli" custody endure severe mistreatment, including torture, medical neglect, and psychological abuse. These practices have escalated since the onset of the "Israeli" assault on Gaza.
As the international community marks International Women’s Day, Palestinian women remain at the forefront of suffering, enduring violence, displacement, and systematic oppression under Israeli occupation.
