The children of the Gaza Strip have endured immense suffering due to the partial Israeli blockade, poverty, and violence. With the recent escalation of the Israeli offensive and a total blockade following attacks by Hamas fighters, their suffering is expected to worsen. Dr. Iman Farajallah, a psychologist in the United States, and Dr. Mamoun Mobayed, a psychiatrist in Qatar, have extensive experience studying and assisting children coping with trauma. In an interview, they shed light on the mental health effects of living in the Gaza Strip and Israel’s war on Hamas. Here’s what you need to know about the trauma children in Gaza are facing.
Dr. Farajallah, who was born and raised in Gaza before moving to California, understands firsthand the impact of living under the “Israeli occupation.” She became a psychologist to help others dealing with trauma. Her research paper published last year highlighted that children who survive wars in Gaza suffer psychologically, emotionally, and behaviorally. Shockingly, 95 percent of children from the Gaza Strip displayed symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma. Witnessing the death of family members, neighbors, and friends leads to anger, frustration, aggression, depression, anxiety, and continuous traumatic stress disorder. Childhood trauma in Gaza has a lasting impact, as Farajallah witnessed when she met two girls who lost their home and family members in an Israeli raid in 2014. The older sister, forced into a caretaking role, expressed concerns about the next war and how to protect future generations.
Access to education is limited for many children in Gaza due to military actions, resulting in a lack of essential school supplies. Despite this, education remains highly valued in Palestinian culture. However, malnutrition and constant exposure to drones affect children’s sleep patterns and concentration, shattering their childhoods. War can introduce traumatic elements into playtime, with children mimicking Israeli soldiers and Palestinians. Some children become withdrawn, while others display antisocial behavior. Dr. Mobayed noted that nightmares and bed-wetting are common among children in wartime conditions. The constant exposure to trauma leads to a state of learned helplessness, where individuals realize their actions are ineffective and they feel trapped.
The experts also discussed the transgenerational trauma that occurs in war-torn areas like Gaza. Trauma is inadvertently passed down from one generation to the next, perpetuating cycles of violence. Farajallah acknowledged that trauma from war remains with her to this day, as she still can’t watch fireworks due to the memories they evoke of living in Gaza during attacks. Both experts emphasized the need for a peaceful political resolution to the issue of Palestine, as psychology alone cannot provide a solution.
The article sheds light on the acute mental health challenges faced by children in Gaza due to the ongoing conflict. It highlights the urgent need for support and a peaceful resolution to ensure a better future for these traumatized children.
