International Healthcare Workers Report on War-Related Injuries in Gaza

A comprehensive study published in The BMJ highlights the severe and complex injuries sustained by civilians in Gaza amid ongoing military conflict. Led by British researchers, the study gathers data from international healthcare professionals deployed to the region between August 2024 and February 2025, providing critical insights into the injury patterns and medical conditions presented during this intense period of hostilities. Participants, representing 22 NGOs from the US, Canada, Europe, and the UK, mostly with prior conflict zone experience, documented over 23,700 trauma cases. The injuries described include highly severe blast injuries, firearm-related trauma, and extensive burns, with many cases exceeding those typically encountered in warzones. Notably, the injuries affected multiple anatomical regions, often involving multiple limb trauma and open skull fractures. Explosive devices caused the majority of weapon-related injuries, predominantly targeting the head, while gunshot wounds mainly involved the legs. Medical conditions such as malnutrition, dehydration, sepsis, and chronic diseases were also prevalent among the affected population. Healthcare workers reported managing multiple injuries per patient, and the situation included numerous mass casualty incidents, with many clinicians treating more than ten injured individuals in a single event. The study underscores the extraordinary severity of injuries in Gaza compared to previous conflicts, emphasizing the urgent need for resilient, context-specific health surveillance systems to better prepare for similar crises in the future. Despite some limitations inherent in data collection during ongoing hostilities, the authors highlight these findings as vital for informing immediate and long-term medical, surgical, and psychological interventions in conflict zones.