Around 109,000 Palestinians aged 60 and above are living in Gaza amid severe shortages of food, medicine, healthcare and shelter. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said older people make up about 5% of Gaza’s population.

Many have been repeatedly displaced and lost access to family support, medication and medical equipment.

More than 70% of older Palestinians reportedly suffer from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, making disruptions to treatment particularly dangerous.