As the Israeli offensive in Gaza continues unabated, over 600,000 children are grappling with deep psychological trauma, living amidst the ruins of their homes. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has sounded the alarm on the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, warning of the devastating long-term consequences for a generation of children.
The Gaza Strip, a small territory besieged by ongoing conflict, is once again at the center of a humanitarian crisis. The latest Israeli military offensive, which began in response to a Hamas attack on October 7, has turned Gaza into a warzone where survival is a daily struggle. According to Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, the situation for Gaza’s children is particularly dire. “Over 600,000 children in Gaza are deeply traumatized and living in rubble,” Lazzarini revealed in a statement on Monday.
The Impact on Gaza’s Children
Gaza’s children are bearing the brunt of the conflict. The relentless bombardment has left vast swathes of the region in ruins, and with no safe spaces left, children are often forced to live in the very rubble that was once their homes. “Boys and girls around the region are going back to UNRWA schools except in Gaza,” Lazzarini highlighted, emphasizing the unique and extreme challenges faced by children in this conflict zone. “They continue to be deprived of learning and schooling. Half of them used to be in UNRWA schools.”
Education, which should be a cornerstone of childhood, has been stripped away from Gaza’s youth. More than 70% of the schools run by UNRWA have been destroyed or severely damaged in the ongoing offensive. “The vast majority of our schools are now overcrowded shelters with hundreds of thousands of displaced families. They cannot be used for learning,” Lazzarini said. This forced displacement and the loss of educational infrastructure are contributing to what many fear could be a “lost generation” – children who grow up without access to education, proper nutrition, or psychological support.
Psychological Trauma and the Risk of a Lost Generation
The psychological impact on Gaza’s children cannot be understated. Many have witnessed the deaths of family members, friends, and neighbors. They have been exposed to extreme violence, and the constant threat of bombings has instilled a deep sense of fear and insecurity. “The longer children stay out of school, the higher the risk of a lost generation, fueling resentment and extremism,” Lazzarini warned.
In addition to the destruction of physical infrastructure, the ongoing conflict has shattered the social and emotional fabric of Gaza. Children, who are naturally resilient, are finding it increasingly difficult to cope with the continuous exposure to violence. With no formal schooling, no safe spaces to play, and no access to mental health services, these children are at significant risk of developing long-term psychological issues, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
The Humanitarian Crisis:
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening by the day. The Israeli offensive, which has now killed more than 40,700 people, the majority of whom are women and children, and injured over 94,100 others, has crippled Gaza’s already fragile infrastructure. The Israeli blockade, in place for years, has led to severe shortages of essential supplies. Basic necessities such as food, clean water, and medicine are in critically short supply, further exacerbating the suffering of the civilian population.
According to recent reports, hospitals are overwhelmed and running out of supplies, while many families have been forced to drink contaminated water due to the destruction of water treatment facilities. The situation is particularly dire in the southern city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to halt military operations in Rafah, but the offensive continues, raising serious concerns about potential war crimes and violations of international law.
The Global Response:
The international community has been vocal in its calls for a ceasefire, yet these calls have largely fallen on deaf ears. For months, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been engaged in diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The primary goals of these efforts are to ensure a prisoner exchange, allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, and stop the ongoing bloodshed. However, these mediation efforts have been stalled due to the hardline stance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has refused to meet Hamas’ demands.
“A ceasefire is a win for all: it will allow respite for civilians, the release of the hostages, and a flow of much-needed basic supplies, including for learning,” Lazzarini said, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention. Despite these efforts, the lack of progress has left Gaza’s children in an increasingly precarious situation.
A Bleak Future for Gaza’s Youth
The long-term consequences of the ongoing conflict for Gaza’s children are profound. Without immediate intervention, these children risk losing their future. The loss of education, combined with the psychological scars of war, could lead to a generation that is not only uneducated but also deeply traumatized and resentful. This, in turn, could fuel cycles of violence and extremism, perpetuating the conflict for years to come.
The international community has a moral obligation to protect the rights of these children and ensure that they have access to education, healthcare, and psychological support. Failure to do so could have devastating consequences, not just for Gaza, but for the broader region and the world.
The Need for Comprehensive Support
As the conflict in Gaza continues, the need for comprehensive support for its children becomes ever more critical. International organizations, NGOs, and governments must work together to provide immediate humanitarian aid, including food, water, and medical supplies, to the affected population. At the same time, efforts must be made to rebuild the educational infrastructure and provide psychological support to the children who have been affected by the conflict.
In the longer term, a sustainable peace process that addresses the underlying causes of the conflict must be pursued. Only through a just and lasting peace can the cycle of violence be broken, and a future be secured for Gaza’s children.
References
- Lazzarini, P. “UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini’s Statements on the Gaza Conflict,” UNRWA Official Website.
- “Gaza Conflict: Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis,” Google News.
- “ICJ Orders Halt to Israeli Operations in Rafah,” International Court of Justice.
Credits: Mr Waseem Shahzad Qadri also contribute this article
