Children in Gaza are experiencing severe trauma as a result of Israel s intense bombardment, say parents and psychiatrists. With no safe place to hide and constant bombardment, children are exhibiting symptoms such as convulsions, bed-wetting, fear, aggressive behavior, and nervousness. The conditions in temporary shelters, such as overcrowding and lack of basic necessities, worsen the situation. The mental toll on children is expected to be significant, but Gaza s healthcare system, already stretched thin, may struggle to provide the necessary support. The continuous trauma in Gaza has long-lasting effects on children s mental health.
Gaza's children are showing ever more signs of trauma two weeks into Israel's intense bombardment, parents and psychiatrists in the tiny, crowded enclave say, with no safe place to hide from the falling bombs and little prospect of respite. Children make up about half of Gaza's 2.3 million population, living under near constant bombardment with many packed into temporary shelters in U.N.-run schools after fleeing their homes with little food or clean water. Israel is expected to launch a ground attack on Gaza shortly in response to a cross-border assault by Hamas fighters on southern Israel on Oct. 7 that killed more than 1,400 people, with a further 210 taken hostage.
Gaza's children are showing ever more signs of trauma two weeks into Israel's intense bombardment, parents and psychiatrists in the tiny, crowded enclave say, with no safe place to hide from the falling bombs and little prospect of respite.