War-related trauma and displacement in Gaza: the impact on the health and longevity of older adults

The ongoing Gaza war, which began in late 2023 and continues into 2025, has disrupted health-care delivery for older adults (ie, >60 years) and threatens their prospects for healthy longevity. Estimates from February 2024 suggested that approximately 111 500 Palestinian older adults in Gaza were among those most at risk of dehydration, hunger, illness, injury, and death. Existing data indicate an exceptionally high civilian mortality rate, including among older people, compounded by inadequate access to essential health services and frequent displacement from bombarded residential areas. A capture–recapture analysis of publicly available records in Gaza estimated that 64 260 people died from traumatic injuries between Oct 7, 2023, and June 30, 2024, exceeding official counts by 41%. Among decedents with documented age, more than half were women, children, or older individuals. A separate study found that life expectancy in Gaza declined by more than 30 years in the first 12 months of the conflict, reflecting the exceptionally high civilian mortality rates.