With an escalation in Israeli attacks, Palestinian children are facing an increasing burden of “ongoing trauma” that shows no signs of abating. As Israel’s assault on Gaza persisted, the fourth day witnessed an intensified bombardment. In an attempt to shield her children from the relentless sound of shelling, Sarah Ali decided to put them to bed early.
However, the impact had already taken its toll on seven-year-old Samer. According to Sarah, “Two hours later, he woke up and came to me crying.” Born in 2016, Samer’s young life has been shaped by the Israeli blockade and recurrent bombings. Nonetheless, the 11-day assault in May 2021 had a significantly profound impact on his psychological well-being.
Over the course of two years, he has consistently experienced bedwetting episodes as a result of anxiety and the fear of experiencing loss.
Unfortunately, just when his mother believed they were making strides in assisting him to overcome his anxieties, Israel initiated another bombing campaign in the previous month. Sarah further explained that they had made some progress in addressing the issue prior to the recent offensive, but during this attack, the problem resurfaced. She emphasized that his condition worsened significantly following the six-day assault.
He’s Not Alone
Samer is just one among the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children residing in Gaza who endure the harrowing experience of “ongoing trauma,” as affirmed by health authorities. With a population of over two million people, half of whom are children, the strip has been subjected to an Israeli-led blockade since 2006.
In less than two decades, the enclave has witnessed approximately 15 military operations initiated by Israel, resulting in the loss of numerous lives. The persistent blockade and repeated attacks have ravaged infrastructure and the economy, exacerbating an already dire “acute mental health crisis” that affects the vast majority of children in the region.
The Trauma
According to Sarah, her son’s confidence has diminished since he began experiencing bedwetting in 2021. This has led him to feel a profound sense of shame and guilt whenever the issue resurfaces. Sarah shared with MEE that she consistently tries to reassure and provide comfort to her son, emphasizing that bedwetting is entirely normal and that she harbors no disappointment towards him. Despite her efforts, he continues to feel sadness and repeatedly apologizes, as if he bears personal responsibility for the situation.
Sarah emphasized her understanding that it is not his fault and acknowledges that this is a consequence of the trauma he has endured. Seeking professional help, Samer’s parents took him to a psychologist a few months after the 2021 attack, and they are considering revisiting the specialist in the near future.
Research conducted by Save the Children in 2022 revealed that nearly 80 percent of caregivers in Gaza reported an increase in bedwetting among their children. An additional 78 percent of participants reported that their children struggled to complete tasks, while 59 percent mentioned difficulties in speech, language, and communication. The NGO conducted interviews with 488 children and 168 parents/caregivers as part of an updated study, building upon similar research conducted in 2018.
The findings highlighted a significant deterioration in the mental health of children, young people, and caregivers, with the percentage of children reporting emotional distress increasing from 55 percent to 80 percent. Ayed Abu Eqtaish, the accountability program director at Defence for Children International, remarked to MEE that the suffering endured by children in Gaza extends beyond post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
He further explained that the repeated Israeli attacks, the blockade, and the violent crackdown on the peaceful 2018 “march of return” demonstrations have impacted children’s ability to experience joy in life.
During the 2021 assault, Israel’s actions resulted in the deaths of 256 Palestinians, including 66 children. On the other side, Palestinian rockets caused the deaths of 13 individuals in Israel, including two children. Tragically, among the Palestinians killed were 11 children between the ages of five and 15 who were undergoing trauma treatment from the Norwegian Refugee Council before the military campaign began.
Another round of bombings in August 2022 led to the deaths of 49 Palestinians, including 17 children, with the youngest victim being only four years old. Approximately eight months later, yet another offensive was launched, claiming the lives of 33 Palestinians, including seven children. Palestinian rockets resulted in the death of one Israeli.
While attack on yeraar 2021, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres characterized life for Palestinian children that living in Gaza as a “hell on earth.”
Suffering From PTSD
Joudi al-Samna, a fifth-grader suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), exhibits good emotional management until the mention of the word “war.” Whenever the word is spoken by a parent or an uncle discussing the news around her, she immediately tunes out. The 11-year-old resident of Gaza City expressed that she covers ears with her hands and beg them to stop talking.
Joudi experiences panic when she hears loud bangs and consistently ensures she remains close to her parents and siblings. She shared with MEE that during the last war in Gaza, “I stayed beside my mum and dad almost all the time.
During Israel’s 51-day attack on Gaza in July and August 2014, Joudi was only two years old. However, her mother, Wejdan Ghannam, explains that her daughter’s trauma began during the 2021 attack. Despite being just nine years old at the time, Joudi was acutely aware of the events unfolding and deeply feared for her life and the safety of her family.
Ghannam shared her efforts to divert her children’s attention from the sounds of bombing during offensives. She would provide coloring books and toys as distractions, doing everything she could to keep them occupied. However, when the bombings grew near, these measures proved ineffective. The children would leave everything behind and come crying. Joudi would sometimes seek solace by curling up in her mother’s lap until she fell asleep. Regardless of the circumstances, the rule in their household is to never mention words such as war, aggression, or bombing.