Palestinian Children’s Day: Gaza Becomes a Graveyard for a Generation’s Dreams

Farah Salsabila Editor : Sajadi - Monday, 6 April 2026 - 20:57 WIB

Monday, 6 April 2026 - 20:57 WIB

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Gaza, MINA – Children in the Gaza Strip marked Palestinian Children’s Day on April 5 under devastating conditions, as their homeland has shifted from a place of learning into a graveyard for the dreams of an entire generation.

According to a report by Jaridah Al-Quds, even the basic search for drinking water, or food, has become an exhausting daily struggle amid widespread destruction.

Since October 7, 2023, Israeli military operations have reportedly destroyed around 85 percent of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, leaving much of the population in ruins.

Field data indicates that children and women make up the majority of victims, accounting for more than 60 percent of total casualties. International organizations warn that the impact extends far beyond physical destruction, severely affecting the psychological well-being of an entire generation. Some have gone as far as describing Gaza as a “graveyard for children” in the modern era.

Ten-year-old Tala Massoud, seen washing clothes outside a displacement tent in Deir al-Balah, said her childhood has effectively disappeared. Once dreaming of becoming a doctor, she now lives without access to education and has lost many of her friends.

Another child, Malik (10), spends his days pushing a cart to collect water for his displaced family after losing his father. As the primary provider for a household of five, he carries responsibilities far beyond his age and physical strength.

Meanwhile, Mahmoud Al-Sheikh, 14, who once aspired to become a professional footballer, has seen his dreams fade following the destruction of sports facilities and stadiums.

Official statistics highlight the scale of the crisis: more than 21,000 children have reportedly been killed over the course of the conflict, including hundreds of infants who did not reach their first birthday. In addition, around 44,000 children have been injured, many suffering permanent disabilities or limb amputations.

Beyond direct violence, hunger has emerged as another deadly threat. Medical sources report at least 157 child deaths due to malnutrition and dehydration, while others have died from exposure to cold conditions in overcrowded displacement camps.

This humanitarian crisis places the international community under increasing legal and moral pressure, particularly regarding obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Human rights reports also indicate a sharp rise in the number of orphans, with an estimated 85,000 children in Gaza having lost one or both parents since the escalation began. Many are now forced into harsh labor conditions at an early age to support their families.

The education sector has been severely impacted, with approximately 90 percent of schools no longer operational, either destroyed or repurposed as overcrowded shelters. As a result, more than 700,000 students have been deprived of access to education, putting the future of an entire generation at risk.

In the West Bank, conditions remain dire. Over the past two years, at least 237 children have been killed by Israeli forces, while 1,655 others have reportedly been detained and subjected to abuse in detention.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)