Emerging into War’s Horrors: One-Month-Old Infant in Gaza, Alone in an Incubator, Deprived of Parental Comfort
In the heart-wrenching aftermath of the conflict in Gaza, stories emerge that encapsulate the profound human toll of war. Take, for instance, the newborn delivered by caesarean section, a fragile soul ushered into a world of chaos.
Her mother, Hanna, tragically lost her life in an Israeli air strike, leaving the child with a nameless identity – referred to simply as “the daughter of Hanna Abu Amsha.”
Within the walls of al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, nurse Warda al-Awawda tends to this tiny, motherless infant. The struggle to find caregivers for bereaved children echoes through the hospital corridors as medics and rescuers grapple with the challenges imposed by ongoing fighting and the decimation of entire families.
The harrowing statistics reveal the stark reality faced by Gaza’s children, nearly half of the population of 2.3 million. Amid Israel’s efforts to minimize civilian casualties, over 11,500 under-18s have perished, and countless more bear life-changing injuries. A report from Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor unveils another distressing facet – over 24,000 children have lost one or both parents.
Ibrahim Abu Mouss, a mere 10 years old, embodies the scars of war. Severe injuries from a missile hitting his home pale in comparison to the tears he sheds for his deceased mother, grandfather, and sister. The trauma unfolds as Ibrahim discovers the truth through photos on his father’s phone, causing him to ache with sorrow.
Amidst the sandy graves by a school-turned-shelter in central Gaza, the cousins of the Hussein family sit solemnly, each having lost one or both parents. Abed Hussein recounts the horrific details of his mother’s demise, and with dark circles under his eyes, he grapples with sleeplessness induced by the relentless sounds of Israeli shelling.
Kinza Hussein’s father met his tragic end while trying to secure flour for bread. The haunting image of his lifeless body, mutilated by a missile, lingers in Kinza’s mind. “All we want is for the war to be over,” she murmurs, encapsulating the collective sorrow that permeates Gaza.
The region, now reliant on aid handouts for the most basic necessities, faces the staggering displacement of 1.7 million people, according to UN figures. Yet, amidst this crisis, Unicef voices its gravest concern for an estimated 19,000 children left orphaned or alone, devoid of adult guardianship.
Jonathan Crick, chief of communications for Unicef Palestine, sheds light on the plight of these children found under rubble, at Israeli checkpoints, hospitals, and on the streets. The youngest ones, unable to articulate their names, face the challenge of identification and reintegration into extended family structures.
Even when relatives can be located, they too are often grappling with dire circumstances, their capacity to care for bereaved children stretched thin. Mr. Crick emphasizes the complexity of the situation, acknowledging the difficulties relatives face in assuming responsibility for these unaccompanied and separated children.
Against this backdrop, SOS Children’s Villages, working closely with Unicef, steps in to provide refuge for 55 such children, all under the age of 10. Specialized staff in Rafah offer psychological support, recounting stories of resilience, like that of a four-year-old with selective mutism now progressing after being embraced with gifts and companionship.
The toll on mental health across Gaza’s children is undeniable, prompting Unicef to assert that nearly all of them are in need of mental health support. The war, with its relentless brutality, leaves indelible scars, and even in the event of a lasting ceasefire, the journey to healing remains fraught with unimaginable losses. The resilience of these children, however, shines through the darkness, offering a glimmer of hope amid the ruins of war.