Gaza: Israel's ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in over 2,000 Palestinian women and girls becoming permanently disabled, as reported by the head of the Gaza government's media office on International Women's Day. Salama Maarouf highlighted the severe impact of the conflict on Palestinian women and girls, describing the situation as a genocidal campaign by Israel.
According to Anadolu Agency, Maarouf stated that the violence has resulted in 13,901 women being widowed, forcing them to become the primary breadwinners for their families. Additionally, 17,000 mothers have lost their children, and 50,000 pregnant women have suffered miscarriages under dire conditions. The ongoing siege and blockade have exacerbated living conditions, leading to widespread hunger and dehydration among women in Gaza.
Maarouf also reported that Israeli forces have killed 12,316 Palestinian women since the conflict began. He emphasized the long-standing challenges faced by Palestinian women since the Nakba, referring to the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians in 1948.
On International Women's Day, Maarouf criticized the international community and women's rights organizations for their inaction, questioning their absence as women in Gaza continue to suffer.
According to Human Rights Watch, the Gaza health authorities' reported death toll does not include those who died from diseases or were trapped under rubble. It is estimated that 70% of the approximately 8,200 fatalities were women and children, with verification from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Office. Human rights organizations have also reported a significant rise in infectious diseases and severe injuries, contributing to the death toll in Gaza.
As of January 18, 2025, the Gaza Health Ministry recorded 110,725 injuries, with women and children comprising 69% of the wounded. Additionally, reports indicate that 70% of the 14,222 missing persons in Gaza are women and children.
A ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement has been in effect since January 19, temporarily halting the conflict that has claimed over 48,400 Palestinian lives, predominantly women and children, and left the region devastated.
In a significant legal development, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant last November, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice related to its military actions.