When Public Health Becomes the Weapon: Current and Prospective Consequences of the Genocide in Gaza
ABSTRACT Catastrophic humanitarian conditions during the 2023–2025 genocide in Gaza have caused a public health crisis of exceptional magnitude. This article summarizes key short‐ and long‐term health consequences for Gaza's civilian population and outlines priorities for recovery. Given severe constraints on data collection, we triangulate evidence from peer‐reviewed research and reports from the World Health Organization, United Nation humanitarian agencies and humanitarian and human‐rights organizations. The analysis is organized across key domains reflecting the progressive collapse of public health in Gaza: destruction of health systems and supporting infrastructure; mass casualties, injuries and physical trauma; food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition; displacement, shelter conditions and communicable diseases; systematic sexual, reproductive and other gender‐based violence; and widespread mental health and psychosocial trauma. We then examine the lasting physical, mental, social and environmental burdens, as well as the health system challenges likely to shape population health for generations. We call for action to mitigate the enduring public health burden of the genocide and ongoing occupation.
Authors
- Caroline Klint Johannesen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6503-5632)
- Clara Barfod Parellada (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2560-0649)
- Vibeke Brix Christensen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0890-3832)
- Andreea Micula (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9155-0715)
- Maren Johanne Heilskov Rytter (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9490-9586)
- Maha Aon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5266-5149)
- Sigurd Lauridsen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9222-6645)
- Dana Bdier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6332-4753)
- Fayez Mahamid (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8050-4783)
- Nina Jøranson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9610-6333)
- Waseem Alzaanin
- Nanna Maaløe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3443-1277)
- Jane Brandt Sørensen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1702-280X)
- Nanna Ahlmark (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0539-2061)
- Hilde Lausund (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4227-6999)
- Helle Timm
- Frederik Schou-Juul
- Sara Aakre Faradonbeh
- Majd Qannita (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5381-8629)
- Therese Alexandra Evald (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8515-578X)
Institutions
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- An-Najah National University (PS)
- University of Southern Denmark (DK)
- Trinity College Dublin (IE)
- Copenhagen University Hospital (DK)
- Rigshospitalet (DK)
- University College Copenhagen (DK)
- VID Specialized University (NO)
- Slagelse Hospital (DK)
- American University of Beirut (LB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- World Medical & Health Policy
- Published
- 2026-04-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.70071
- Primary Topic
- Health and Conflict Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00