Gaza: For 365 Days Too Long, 1.1 Million Children’s Lives Have Been Allowed to Become a War Zone

This war has become one of the deadliest crises for children this century, having devastating impacts on the wellbeing and future of the more than 1.1 million children in Gaza.

In spite of the inspiring commitment of War Child teams, partners and the humanitarian community, Israel continues to prevent aid from reaching Gaza at the scale and speed required to address the rampant suffering. The scale of the catastrophe in Gaza is staggering – more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel to date – more than a third of whom were children. Education and livelihoods are also under attack. The education system has been at a standstill since October 2023, and more than 80% of schools and all universities have been damaged or destroyed. The estimated 620,000 children who are currently out of school are at risk of experiencing long-term impacts on their development and grave consequences for their futures.

Countless children have bore witness to the horrors of war—death, destruction, and displacement—leaving deep psychological scars that require urgent mental health support. Meanwhile, Israel’s obstruction of aid and forced displacements have induced starvation and the rapid spread of diseases.

“Every child in Gaza urgently needs aid right now", says Rob Williams, War Child Alliance CEO. Tens of thousands of children have been orphaned or separated from their families. The destruction has forced around one million children from their homes, leaving them with almost no access to food, clean water, and basic necessities."

“One year on, and in the midst of this most recent escalation, aid workers in Gaza have demonstrated an understanding of humanity that surpasses that of many world leaders", adds Rob. "Their dedication and courage in the face of this war should be examples to all of us. But a global response is urgently needed."

War Child and its local partners continue to provide lifelines to people in Gaza. Their efforts have reached over 161,000 people, including more than 105,000 children. War Child and partners have distributed essential aid such as food, clean water, shelter equipment and hygiene kits. We have also begun to address the psychological trauma of this war through recreational activities, counselling and our movement-based intervention, TeamUp. War Child is also helping local counsellors and professionals, and offering an online training channel which provides guidance on safeguarding, child protection and support for unaccompanied children.

“Despite these achievements, it is unacceptable that our teams should have to put their lives at risk to deliver this aid. War Child is doing everything we can, but we cannot begin to scratch the surface of needs without improved access and the guarantee of safety for our staff,” states Rob.

With Israel’s flagrant disregard for the rules of war that exist to keep civilians, and aid workers, safe, the widespread destruction of homes, schools and essential infrastructure has left children and all civilians without safe spaces for learning, play or recovery.

Once again, War Child calls on states and the international community to use their power and influence to protect children, aid workers and all civilians in Gaza. The international community must not only act to stop the violence in Gaza as well as regional escalations including in Lebanon and Yemen. Those with power must also ensure accountability for all violations of international law that have taken place.

Children are paying the highest price in this conflict, and we mourn every life lost. No child should ever be a target in war.