New Deir al-Balah camp provides vital support to disabled Palestinians amid Israel's ongoing war on Gaza

The first camp for people with disabilities in the war-wrecked enclave is bringing much-needed relief to dozens of displaced Palestinians.

In the town of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, a newly opened camp provides refuge and care for approximately 100 families of people with special needs.

The Smile of Hope (Basmat Amal) camp, managed by the Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS), was established at the end of June in response to the hardships of the 11-month conflict and the tough barriers disabled displaced Palestinians face in emergencies.

The camp was built with limited local materials because the Rafah crossing was closed for an extended period, and Israel’s blockade prevented the entry of humanitarian aid.

Despite these challenges, the camp was set up with help from the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee and the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children.

“We were able to establish the first shelter for persons with disabilities. We accomplished this with our limited capabilities,” said Amjad Al Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO) in Gaza, during a visit to the camp by Scott Anderson, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza.

Regaining dignity and independence 

The camp is equipped with water and sanitation facilities, and solar-generated power, and is fully accessible and inclusive to meet the needs of disabled individuals. It provides special care and assistive devices for those with hearing impairments, restricted mobility, or other impairments.

“The Red Crescent provided me with this wheelchair, which has helped me move around more easily and live my life with more independence and comfort,” Muhammad Jamal Abu Kamil, 35, expressed his gratitude in a testimonial shared by PRCS.

The young man was admitted to the facility after being displaced more than six times from Gaza City to the south during the current war.

“I’m getting the care and support I need from a place that cares about my special health condition,” said Kamil, who faced significant difficulties during his displacement from Khan-Yunis to Deir al-Balah. This was due to hard-to-access transportation and severe destruction on the streets.

“Moving to the camp has made a big difference thanks to its accessible facilities like toilets and safe spaces, as well as the availability of drinking water and electricity,” Badriya Al-Kilani, another camp resident, said gratefully in a statement provided by PRCS.

“The wheelchair they gave me wasn’t just a means of transportation; it became a symbol of hope and strength that helped me regain my dignity and independence,” she added.

Services and activities at the shelter include rehabilitation sessions, food distribution, healthcare assistance, an education corner, psychosocial support, protection, and recreational activities for children. Five core staff members assist with camp operations.

'Their suffering is truly unimaginable' 

The shelter centre hosts people with disabilities, primarily those who are hearing impaired and have reduced mobility, along with an estimated 20 percent of people without disabilities and their families.

“Disabled individuals are among the most vulnerable groups affected by the war in Gaza. Their suffering is truly unimaginable,” PRCS spokesperson Nebal Farsakh told The New Arab, highlighting how they face immense challenges in all aspects of life that are “multiplied” by the ongoing Israeli onslaught.

The continuous bombing, fighting, and violence disproportionately impact persons with disabilities. They are at far greater risk of death and injury in conflict settings; many are separated from their families or caregivers, and several others have lost mobility aids, support devices, and medicines, leading to increased vulnerability. Some have acquired impairments due to armed attacks and sustained hostilities.

“Many disabled people die under Israeli bombs because they can’t physically flee their homes or move quickly off the streets. So many require urgent rehabilitation, medical treatment, or aids they cannot get in Gaza,” Mahran Al-Tawil, director of programs and development at Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation, told The New Arab.

He also mentioned that the never-ending Israeli aggression has led to a rise in amputations among Gazans, estimated to be 11,000 cases.

Future plans and developments

Like the rest of the population in Gaza, people with disabilities struggle with accessing limited necessities such as food, clean water, and hygiene items, and they are being denied critical care and support.

“Basmat Amal was set up to serve as a model for an inclusive, comprehensive support system that responds to the needs of people with disabilities,” Abdul Aziz Abu Eisha, PRCS director of disaster risk management in the Gaza Strip, stated with pride to The New Arab.

As part of plans for the camp’s development, he anticipated that PRCS and partners aim to upgrade the electrical grid and solar power system, install a lighting system to help families communicate in sign language during darkness, and set up a family clinic inside the shelter for easier access to healthcare.

Farsakh noted that although the shelter centre is hindered by a lack of funds and resources, it brings “crucial relief” to its residents by offering needed services in times of crisis.

Additionally, she explained, it actively promotes the integration of those living with disabilities into the community and their well-being.

The spokeswoman expects that more camps for people with special needs are planned to be built to serve this disadvantaged group and improve their lives.

With nearly 41,000 people killed and over 94,000 wounded in Israel's brutal assault on the Palestinian enclave, and with no end in sight, the number of individuals with injuries that will lead to permanent impairment is at severe risk of increasing.

Alessandra Bajec is a freelance journalist currently based in Tunis

Follow her on X: @AlessandraBajec