Occupied Jerusalem, May 2 (SANA) More than 64,000 children in Gaza are now orphans, according to figures released by the Palestinian Ministry of Social Development, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian impact inflicted by Israel’s prolonged aggression on the enclave.
The ministry said the number of orphans has reached 64,616, with most having lost at least one parent and many losing both since the Israeli aggression began in October 2023. This marks a sharp rise from about 17,000 registered orphans before the war.
Charities and officials say displaced children face worsening conditions, including repeated forced displacement, loss of homes, and the near-total collapse of health, education, and shelter services. Many are living in overcrowded shelters or informal sites with limited access to food, medicine, and basic services.
Ministry spokesperson Aziz al-Kahlout told SANA that the “National Orphan System,” launched in 2023, has registered about 55,000 children orphaned since the war began, bringing the total number of registered orphans to around 65,000. He said the destruction of orphanages has scattered children across temporary shelters lacking minimum conditions for safety and stability.
Baraka Charity Association projects director Raafat Jenena described the situation as a war that targeted breadwinners directly, turning tens of thousands of children into orphans across Gaza. He said relief organizations are struggling to keep pace with the rising number of orphans and declining international funding, noting that only a fraction of children without stable support receive regular monthly sponsorship.
He called for urgent international intervention, including monthly financial support for children, reconstruction of schools and care facilities, and large-scale psychosocial support programs to help children cope with trauma.
Personal accounts highlight the impact: 12-year-old Mahmoud Ziyada, the sole survivor of his family after an Israeli airstrike destroyed their home, suffers severe psychological distress. Nine-year-old Fatem Al Ghussein lost an eye in the bombing and continues to grieve for her father, while her elder sister now bears responsibility for raising the family under harsh displacement conditions.
Local and UN-backed estimates say Israeli occupation forces have destroyed or damaged about 90 percent of housing and public infrastructure in Gaza since the start of the war, further straining humanitarian operations and deepening the impact of Israel’s prolonged aggression on civilians.
Kh.A
