Amnesty reveals neglected health crisis among elderly in Gaza

Amnesty International, based on joint research with HelpAge International, stated that the elderly in the Gaza Strip are facing a "neglected" physical and psychological health crisis. They pointed out that this comes amid the ongoing Israeli blockade on essential aid and medicines, and the recent ban on humanitarian organizations.

Both organizations reported that elderly individuals stated in a health survey that food scarcity forced them to skip entire meals, sometimes to make what was available accessible to family members, while others had to reduce doses of medication for serious illnesses due to unavailability. According to testimonies documented by Amnesty International, displaced elderly people spoke of severe harm they suffered as a result of deprivation of nutritious food, adequate shelter, and healthcare, amid a continuous blockade and repeated forced displacements since October 2023.

Erika Guevara-Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy, and Campaigns at Amnesty International, said that the elderly in Gaza are suffering an "unprecedented collapse" in their health as a direct result of "Israel's deliberate subjection of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to living conditions intended to destroy them physically." She added that the "cruel and inhumane" Israeli restrictions on aid entry have undermined the ability of the elderly to access care, medicines, nutritious food, and shelter.

HelpAge International's survey, which included 416 elderly individuals, showed that 76% live in often overcrowded tents, and 84% said that their living conditions harm their health and violate their privacy, while 79% reported being forcibly displaced more than 3 times since October 2023.

68% stated that they reduced or stopped medication doses due to depletion, 11% had not eaten any meal in the previous 24 hours, while 48% reduced their food portions to make food available to others. Amnesty International called on Israeli authorities to lift the blockade "immediately and unconditionally" and allow the entry of medicines, shelter materials, and other essential supplies, emphasizing that the rights and needs of the elderly in Gaza "must not be neglected."

The elderly in Gaza are suffering an unprecedented collapse in their health as a direct result of Israel's deliberate subjection of Palestinians to living conditions intended to destroy them physically.