Two years of genocidal war in Gaza have left Palestinian women at the centre of a profound humanitarian crisis. The fighting has claimed tens of thousands of lives, leaving countless women widowed and children orphaned, while the region struggles to cope with the scale of the devastation.

According to reports from local women’s organisations, more than 1.1 million women live in Gaza, and over 21,000 have been widowed in just two years. This has produced over 44,000 children who lost one or both parents, overwhelming the capacity of charitable institutions to provide support. Widows face extreme financial, social, and psychological pressures, often lacking access to basic necessities and essential healthcare.

UN agencies report that hundreds of thousands of displaced women are living in unsafe conditions, with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and medical care. Many are suffering severe depression, social isolation, and heightened vulnerability due to the loss of family support. With local and international aid networks largely disrupted, women and children confront a daily struggle for survival, navigating a reality marked by insecurity, deprivation, and the long-term trauma of war.