UNICEF estimates that at least 17,000 children in the Gaza Strip are unaccompanied or separated from their parents due to the ongoing conflict. This represents approximately 1% of the overall displaced population of 1.7 million people in Gaza, highlighting heartbreaking stories of loss and survival.
The conflict in Gaza has had devastating consequences for civilians, particularly children. Israel’s military actions have resulted in significant casualties and widespread displacement. Key organizations like UNICEF, Save the Children, and Defense for Children International Palestine have been working tirelessly to address the humanitarian crisis.
UNICEF’s estimate of 17,000 unaccompanied or separated children is based on available data and field reports, but the exact number is difficult to verify due to the challenging security and humanitarian conditions. Save the Children estimates that 21,000 children are missing, including those possibly buried under rubble, with many likely dead.
Personal stories from the ground reveal the immense suffering these children endure. Eleven-year-old Razan lost almost all her family members when her uncle’s house was bombed. She sustained injuries resulting in the amputation of her leg, which later became infected. Now displaced to Rafah, Razan is being cared for by her aunt and uncle. Her situation is compounded by limited mobility and a lack of specialized support and rehabilitation services.
In a center for unaccompanied children, two young cousins aged 6 and 4 are struggling to cope after losing their entire families. The four-year-old girl remains in shock, unable to speak about her traumatic experiences. Humanitarian workers fear the situation is even worse in the northern and central parts of Gaza, where access to aid is more restricted.
Humanitarian conditions in Gaza are dire. Extended families, who traditionally take in orphaned children, are overwhelmed by the lack of food, water, and shelter. They struggle to care for additional children while trying to meet the needs of their own families. Immediate interim care is urgently needed to support these children while efforts are made to trace and reunite them with their families.
Children in Gaza are experiencing severe psychological and physical health impacts. Many exhibit symptoms of extreme anxiety, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, emotional outbursts, and panic attacks. Before the current conflict, more than 500,000 children in Gaza were already in need of mental health and psychosocial support. Today, nearly all children in Gaza require such support, with more than 1 million affected.
UNICEF and its partners have provided mental health and psychosocial support to over 40,000 children and 10,000 caregivers since the beginning of the conflict. Activities like playing, drawing, dancing, and singing offer temporary relief, but the scale of the needs far exceeds the available resources. A ceasefire is essential to deliver support at the necessary scale.
Humanitarian groups emphasize the importance of international humanitarian law and the protection of children in conflict zones. The destruction of infrastructure and communication systems by Israeli forces has left children stranded and separated from their families. Reports indicate that many children are found alone on the streets, traumatized and unable to speak.
Khaled Quzmar, General Director of Defense for Children International Palestine, described the situation as a “war against children,” noting that children in Gaza are paying a high price for the conflict. He highlighted the targeting of children and the broader implications for their future, as well as the increase in child arrests in the West Bank by Israeli forces.
The response from humanitarian organizations has been focused on providing immediate care and tracing families to reunite children with their relatives. However, the ongoing violence and destruction make these efforts extremely challenging. Save the Children specialists have noted the difficulty in locating family members and providing safe facilities for children.
The broader impact of the conflict on children’s mental health and well-being cannot be overstated. The need for urgent action and support is critical to address the immense suffering and ensure the protection and care of Gaza’s vulnerable children.
Craig Mokhiber, a former United Nations human rights official, summarized the situation poignantly: “The right to life is not guaranteed anymore in Gaza.”
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