Source: AUN News

GAZA STRIP, PALESTINE – The ongoing conflict in Gaza has exacted an unbearable toll on the region’s civilian population, especially its most vulnerable: children. Recent escalations, including a barrage of 147 Israeli airstrikes and over 1,100 rocket and mortar attacks from Palestinian militants in early August, have only deepened the wounds of this decades-long struggle. In just three days of fighting, 46 Palestinians lost their lives, 17 of them children, according to the UN, while hundreds more were left injured or displaced. The psychological impact of living through repeated cycles of violence has left a third of Gaza’s population in dire need of mental health support.

The region has long been battered by instability, with five wars in the past 15 years alone. The United Nations has documented the devastating toll this has taken on mental health in the territory, where children have become collateral victims of the cyclical hostilities. Adele Khodr, UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, highlighted this alarming reality: “This was many kids’ fifth war in the last fifteen years. Many are already dealing with the long-term psychological ramifications of regular exposure to violence.”

Dire situation

The incessant violence has compounded an already dire humanitarian situation. Lynne Hastings, the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, painted a bleak picture following her visit to a family whose home was severely damaged in the latest escalation. “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is already deteriorating, and this recent escalation would only make matters worse.” In a region where nearly 65 percent of the population lives below the poverty line and 60 percent faces chronic unemployment, the crisis extends beyond physical destruction—it has led to profound psychological and emotional deterioration.

The Gaza Strip’s mental health infrastructure is woefully inadequate. A territory of over two million residents, spread across five governorates, has just one mental health facility offering 50 beds. This imbalance leaves many residents without the resources necessary to cope with mental health issues that continue to proliferate amidst the broader socio-political upheaval. Dr. Yousef Shahin, who leads the UNRWA Disease Prevention and Control Program, called the agency’s mental health and psychological support initiative “one of the most significant programs in the Gaza Strip,” assisting over 87,000 patients. “We survey cases, and if psychological support is necessary, treatment is provided. We have seen frequent instances of epilepsy and depression, as well as chronic physical illnesses with psychological origins,” Dr. Shahin noted.

Blockade, Military incursions and political isolation

Mental health professionals, like Dr. Sami Owaida of the Gaza Mental Health Program, have pointed to the years-long blockade imposed by Israel as a significant driver of the psychological strain afflicting the Strip’s inhabitants. The blockade, compounded by frequent military incursions and political isolation, has devastated Gaza’s economy and torn apart its social fabric. “More than 65 percent of Gaza’s population is unemployed, and more than 60 percent live in poverty,” said Dr. Owaida. “These conditions foster a state of dissatisfaction and psychological degradation.”

The effects of these hardships manifest in numerous ways, ranging from depression and anxiety to chronic conditions such as hypertension and heart disease that are exacerbated by stress. The residents of Gaza are continuously subjected to electricity cuts, inadequate access to clean water, and scarce medical resources. The latest conflict in May 2021 further compounded the crisis, leading to widespread destruction and hundreds of casualties.

Dr. Ghada Al Jadba, Director of the UNRWA Health Program, summed up the reality that defines life for many Gazans: “The conflict in May 2021 led to a psychological shock on top of dealing with electricity and water cuts, high rates of poverty, and unemployment. These are all factors that led to the deterioration of the already worsening health and psychological situation of the residents of Gaza.”

Mental health as a community problem

The escalating mental health crisis in Gaza has not only impacted individual well-being but also placed a strain on families and entire communities, many of whom face intergenerational trauma. According to health experts, the Strip requires a significant increase in resources to meet the growing demand for mental health care, particularly for children who are disproportionately affected by the ongoing strife.

As Gaza grapples with an uncertain future, international humanitarian agencies remain vital lifelines, albeit with limited capacity. With nearly a third of Gaza’s residents in need of urgent mental health support, it is clear that the psychological scars of this conflict will endure for years to come, long after the physical destruction fades from the headlines. As the region remains locked in a cycle of devastation, global efforts to provide comprehensive mental health care and humanitarian assistance remain as critical as ever, especially for the younger generations who continue to bear the brunt of the violence.

For now, the call for peace remains unheeded, and the people of Gaza find themselves trapped in a life shaped by relentless conflict, deprivation, and a growing mental health crisis that threatens the well-being of millions.

Analysis by: Advocacy Unified Network