Childhood is traditionally seen as a time for exploration, joy, and safety—a period where dreams are born and imagination thrives. Parents around the world hope their children will grow up in peaceful, supportive environments. Early childhood is especially important for physical, emotional, and cognitive development, and it shapes the foundation for a child’s future. Every child deserves safety, love, education, and the freedom to play.
However, in Gaza, these basic rights have been cruelly denied. The laughter of children has been replaced by the sound of drones overhead and the constant rumble of bombs. For thousands of children, the idea of “childhood”—once a time of curiosity and happiness—has been brutally erased. Instead, they now grow up surrounded by destruction, trauma, and a never-ending fear of losing everything and everyone they love.
The Loss of Family and Stability
One of the most heartbreaking effects of the ongoing conflict in Gaza is the loss of family. Thousands of children have been orphaned, left to face an unpredictable world without the care and protection of their parents. This loss is even more devastating in the context of the chaos and instability around them.
As of 2023, more than 18,000 children have died in the conflict, with at least 16,000 of them officially identified. Thousands of others remain trapped under rubble, their conditions unknown. This tragic loss has deeply affected families, causing unbearable grief for parents who have lost children or continue to wait for the return of those still missing.
Additionally, many children who survived the violence have sustained serious injuries, leaving them permanently disabled. This catastrophe has caused lasting emotional and physical pain, especially for the most vulnerable.
The emotional scars left by these events are profound. Many children are forced to grow up quickly, taking on responsibilities far beyond their years. With every airstrike, every destroyed home or school, and every life lost, their psychological burden grows. The cycle of trauma continues with each new wave of violence, and the support systems to help them cope are either overwhelmed or nonexistent.
A Childhood Without Playgrounds
Play is essential to a child’s development. It helps them build emotional resilience, social skills, creativity, and cognitive abilities. Through play, children learn about the world and how to express themselves. But in Gaza, even this basic part of childhood has been taken away.
Playgrounds have been destroyed, open spaces are too dangerous to enter, and the few remaining parks are abandoned. Schools, which often serve as safe spaces for children, are now destroyed or overcrowded. For parents, allowing their children to play outside has become a dangerous gamble, with the risk of losing their child’s life.
The lack of safe spaces has not only stolen the joy of play but also taken away any sense of safety and normalcy. The streets, once filled with games and laughter, are now quiet, tense, and full of fear. Gaza’s playgrounds have become battlegrounds, and children who once dreamed freely now sleep in silence.
The Need for Healing, Not Just Survival
The tragedy in Gaza is not just marked by the ruins of buildings but by the deep emotional and psychological wounds carried by its children. These children face burdens no child should ever have to bear. While a lost childhood cannot be restored, its lasting damage can be softened if the world takes action with compassion and urgency.
We must understand that the emotional and developmental well-being of Gaza’s children is as crucial as their physical survival. Providing them with safe spaces, education, psychological support, and the chance to dream again is not a luxury—it is a necessity. International organizations and the UN must do more to address the crisis, ensuring that children receive the support they need, including education, safety, food, and basic rights.
These children need healing, not just survival. They need to be seen, heard, and protected. Every child deserves more than to simply exist; they deserve a future filled with joy, stability, and the opportunity to thrive. No child’s life should be defined by the phrase, “if I survive.” The time to act is now, before childhood slips away entirely.
