Nearly 50,000 Women and Girls Killed or Severely Injured in Gaza in Three Years of War – One in 21 Gazan Women and Girls

Nearly 50,000 women and girls in Gaza have been killed or severely injured since the start of the conflict in October 2023, according to a report released by UN Women. That figure represents approximately one in 21 Gazan women and girls, many of whom suffer from lifelong disabilities due to injuries sustained during the war. The data highlights the disproportionate impact of the conflict on female civilians, with more than 38,000 women and girls killed and 11,700 severely injured. These casualties include those resulting from Israeli airstrikes and land military operations throughout the period. Most of the recorded deaths and injuries occurred in the initial two years of the war, but the violence has continued even after a ceasefire agreement came into effect in October 2025. Over 277 women and girls have been killed in Gaza in the past year alone. The conflict has left nearly every woman and girl in Gaza displaced, with more than 150 evacuation and movement orders issued by the Israeli Defense Forces since October 2023. These orders have forced nearly one million women and girls from their homes, leaving them living in tents or in the ruins of buildings, often without privacy or adequate living conditions. Women and girls in Gaza are currently living in conditions deemed incompatible with survival and dignity. They are responsible for caring for children, the sick, the injured, and the elderly, often without the necessary resources to perform these tasks. Additionally, many women are giving birth in unsafe and unsanitary environments, increasing the risk to both mother and child. The number of miscarriages has risen sharply, reaching nearly 4,000 in the first six months of 2026, triple the number recorded in the last six months of 2025. The war has significantly altered the social fabric of Gaza, with the number of widows and women taking on the role of head of household doubling since October 2023. Nearly one in four households in Gaza is now led by a woman, compared to one in nine before the conflict began. These women face additional burdens, as they are now solely responsible for providing for and protecting their families amidst worsening conditions. Despite the ceasefire, women and girls in Gaza continue to struggle with severe limitations on access to food, shelter, safe water, and hygiene supplies. Ongoing hostilities and insecurity further complicate efforts to provide basic necessities. Bombings have destroyed homes, businesses, hospitals, schools, and shops, making it difficult for women and girls to access essential services. Between July and December 2026, an estimated 702,000 women and girls are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity, which poses serious health risks, including malnutrition. The decline in aid availability threatens the lifeline for women and girls in Gaza. A survey conducted by UN Women found that 13 out of 14 women’s organizations operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank reported an increase in the need for assistance among women and girls since 2025. All 14 organizations noted a rise in gender-based violence, poverty, and mental health distress. Thirteen of the 14 organizations also observed an increase in child marriages, highlighting the deepening crisis faced by women and girls in the region. In Gaza City, journalist Akram al-Satarri described the current situation as a continuation of the devastation that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel. He emphasized that the conflict has fundamentally altered the way Palestinians live, manage their daily lives, and access basic necessities. Al-Satarri noted that around 85% of the built environment in Gaza is already destroyed, and 74% of the land is controlled by Israel and the IDF. Gazans continue to face challenges related to accessing clean water and food, as well as public health issues stemming from consumption of untreated water. Despite international condemnation and calls for improved conditions, the situation for Gazans remains dire, with ongoing violence and displacement affecting the population.