A landmark study conducted by the Community Training Centre for Crisis Management in Gaza, with backing from the Dutch Relief Alliance and the War Child Alliance, has laid bare the harrowing psychological toll of Israel's ongoing military operation on Gaza's youngest population. The findings are harrowing: 96% of children surveyed feel their death is imminent, while 49% have expressed a desire to die.
The assessment surveyed the caregivers of 504 children, all of whom are from families with at least one child who is disabled, injured, or unaccompanied. The survey's findings, based on data collected in June, suggest that the true extent of the psychological harm is likely even greater now, following 14 additional months of sustained conflict.
Helen Pattinson, chief executive of War Child UK, called the report "one of the most horrifying insights into the mental well-being of children anywhere in the world." She noted that Gaza's children are bearing the brunt of a war they had no role in starting, suffering from both the destruction of physical infrastructure and the psychological scars left by war's brutality.
The survey found that 92% of children were "not accepting of reality", 79% suffered from nightmares, and 73% displayed symptoms of aggression. Other psychological responses included fear, anxiety, social withdrawal, and difficulty concentrating.
The trauma has left many children with ongoing emotional distress, behavioural changes, and eating issues, while physical symptoms such as pain are also manifesting.
Impact on Gaza's Children: A Generation at Risk
The war's impact is compounded by the destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals. Over 60% of the children surveyed had been exposed to at least one traumatic event, and some experienced multiple instances of violence, including airstrikes, displacement, and separation from their families.
An estimated 17,000 children in Gaza are unaccompanied, separated from their parents due to the conflict. These children are at increased risk of abuse, exploitation, and serious violations of their rights, the report warned. "Being separated from their families places these children at a heightened risk," it stated, emphasizing that such trauma can persist long after hostilities cease.
Dr Yasser Abu Jamei, a prominent Palestinian psychiatrist, has long called for greater international support for psychological first aid initiatives for Gaza's youth. He argues that the long-term consequences of trauma on children's development could reverberate through generations.
Civilian Harm from Explosive Weapons
The psychological toll is matched by the physical destruction caused by explosive weapons. According to Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), there have been 3,648 reported incidents of explosive violence in Gaza since October 2023, specifically detailed in English language media. These have resulted in 35,975 civilian casualties -- 23,207 killed and 12,768 injured. Children make up a significant proportion of the casualties, with at least 2,255 children reported killed or injured during these language recorded incidents.
AOAV's data highlights how urban residential areas are the most impacted, with over 20,835 civilian casualties occurring in these locations. Hospitals, schools, and humanitarian infrastructure have also been frequently targeted, further exacerbating the crisis for children.
Dr Iain Overton, Executive Director of AOAV, commented on the findings: "The harm caused to Gaza's children goes beyond statistics. Behind every number is a name, a life, and a future that is being extinguished before it can even begin. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas inflicts lasting psychological and physical wounds on children that cannot be undone."
He called on the international community to intervene: "These figures demand urgent action. The psychological damage to Gaza's children could fuel generational trauma, entrenching cycles of violence. If we truly want peace, we must protect these children from further harm."
Call for International Action
The findings from War Child and from AOAV's own data underscore the urgency of intervention. With tens of thousands of children bearing the scars of war, Gaza's next generation faces an uphill battle to rebuild their lives. Advocacy groups like the International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW) are calling for immediate efforts to end the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and to ensure that children's psychological well-being is prioritised in humanitarian responses.
As Dr Iain Overton noted, "The world's failure to protect Gaza's children is a moral failing on a monumental scale. We must act decisively and compassionately to ensure that these children's voices are heard and their futures protected."