Devastating toll for Palestinians with disabilities in Gaza, HRW says

Israel’s war on Gaza is taking a devastating toll on Palestinian civilians with disabilities, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Wednesday.

Daily bombardment, blockade, and a major ground offensive mean that some of the most vulnerable Palestinians are facing increased hardship fleeing attacks, and in accessing what’s left of Gaza’s healthcare system.

HRW interviewed more than a dozen Palestinians living in Gaza with various levels of disabilities.

Many described the fear of leaving homes adapted to meet their accessibility requirements, including access to their wheelchairs, walkers or hearing aids.

Many of the Palestinians with disabilities in the strip are also the victims of previous Israeli assaults. Their numbers have only swelled in the latest onslaught by Israel.

“The Israeli military’s major ground offensive in Gaza adds immeasurably to the serious difficulties for people with disabilities to flee, find shelter, and obtain water, food, medicine, and assistive devices they desperately need,” said Emina Cerimovic, senior disability rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.

“The United States and other Israeli allies should press Israel to take all necessary steps to protect people with disabilities and lift the blockade.”