Report Questions Global Claims of Highest Child Amputation Rate in Gaza

An investigation by the organization CAMERA has raised questions about the widely reported claim that the Gaza Strip has the highest per capita rate of child amputees globally. Despite the assertion being cited by the United Nations and international media outlets, CAMERA found no supporting comparative research or original source.

The claim, which suggests Gaza has the world's highest rate of child amputations per capita, gained traction in international media and UN circles. While reports from the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza indicate over 5,000 amputations have occurred, CAMERA's review focused specifically on the comparative aspect of the claim.

According to CAMERA, the assertion began circulating around the UN in October 2024 without an identified source. The UN later cited a statement from the International Rescue Committee from August 2025, but CAMERA states this statement also lacked an original source for the data. Similar claims were reportedly made in March 2024 by a doctor, and later appeared in publications like The Lancet and on the Save The Children website, without attribution to the basis of the data.

CAMERA researchers stated they could not find any study comparing child amputation numbers in different global conflict zones. They noted that the Financial Times, which published the information, did not respond to an inquiry from National Review on the matter.

The CAMERA review also highlighted other instances where unverified information achieved widespread dissemination. Examples cited include an opinion piece in The New York Times that relied on the Euro-Med organization, described as having ties to Hamas, and claims made by former researcher Shai Davidai, who later admitted his statements were unverified.