FACT: Gaza children undergo amputation without anesthesia

Sobaidah Gubat

A Facebook post says that children in Palestine were forced to have arms or legs cut off and go through surgeries without painkillers after being hurt in Israeli attacks.

CLAIM:

The post says, “Children had to have arms and legs amputated and undergo surgery without anesthesia after they were bombed relentlessly by Israhell.”

RATING: FACT

CONCLUSION:

A May 2026 WHO report estimated that more than 5,000 traumatic limb amputations had occurred in Gaza since October 2023, with one in five amputees being a child. The report also documented severe shortages in rehabilitation services, equipment, and medical supplies.

FACTS:

• More than 1,000 children had lost one or both legs by January 2024, according to Save the Children, citing UNICEF.
• As of May 2026, WHO estimated more than 22,000 major limb injuries and over 5,000 traumatic amputations in Gaza since October 2023.
• Amputations were performed without anesthesia because of shortages of medical supplies, doctors and nurses.
• In August 2026, orthopedic surgeon Mark Perlmutter described amputating a five-year-old girl’s leg without anesthesia after supplies ran out. He said doctors sang to her while she remained awake during the procedure.

THE BOTTOMLINE:

The Facebook post’s central claim is supported by documented cases and humanitarian reporting. Children in Gaza have suffered severe limb injuries and amputations, while shortages of anesthesia and other medical supplies have led to painful procedures being performed without adequate pain relief. The account of doctors singing to a child shows the severe conditions faced by patients and medical workers amid the healthcare crisis.