The ongoing war in Gaza has pushed thousands of children into an uncertain future. Their childhoods have been robbed of their childhoods by rubble, hunger, and the unbearable pain of losing loved ones. We follow the lives of three children who struggle to survive every day in the midst of this war. Their stories paint a profound picture of the reality of Gaza and the humanitarian crisis.
Yasin: Finding new life amidst the rubble
Twelve-year-old Yassin once dreamed of going to school. But now his life is limited to a struggle for survival. His home was destroyed in an Israeli attack, and his parents were lost under the rubble. Now he has taken refuge in a refugee camp, where food and water shortages are a constant problem.
“I just want to go back to school,” said Yasin, “but all my books have been destroyed. Many of my friends have died. I don’t know if the war will end soon, but I just want to get back to normal life.”
Amal: A little girl's fears and daily struggles
Ten-year-old Amal has not been able to sleep at night since the war began. She is startled by the sound of every bomb. Her family has taken shelter in the basement of a destroyed building, where food shortages and medical shortages make every moment difficult.
“I asked my mother, ‘Will we ever be able to go back to our old house?’” Amal said. “She was just crying. I don’t know what awaits us.”
His younger brother Marwan is suffering from malnutrition, as it has become impossible for them to procure enough food day after day.
Omar: An uncertain future in the devastation of war
Fifteen-year-old Omar is the sole breadwinner for his family. His father has been missing since the war began, and his mother struggles to feed him and his younger siblings. The teenager, who once loved playing football, now stands in line for food at the refugee camp every day.
"I wanted to find work, but there is no work here. Shops have been destroyed, schools are closed, hospitals are not working."
Omar doesn't know what his future holds, but he dreams that the war will end and they will return to normal life.
What does the future hold for the children of Gaza?
These three children in Gaza are a reflection of thousands of war-torn children who live precarious lives every day, where lack of food, shelter, and security hinder their growth.
The United Nations and other human rights organizations have called for increased emergency aid for children in Gaza, but without a ceasefire and a long-term peace agreement, the end of their suffering remains uncertain.
War doesn't just destroy buildings, it destroys the dreams and futures of a generation. Thousands of other children like Yasin, Amal, Omar are waiting—for a new day, where they can go to school again, play, and dream. But no one knows when that day will come.
