In the Gaza Strip, an alarming number of children are now growing up without the support of a parent after years of devastating genocidal war. A recent report from the territory’s Ministry of Social Development reveals that more than 64,000 minors have lost one or both caregivers, with over 55,000 children bereaved of their main provider. These figures, released on Arab Orphans Day, paint a stark picture of the social and economic toll on families across the enclave.

The data shows the heaviest impact in Gaza governorate, where more than a third of these children now live. For many families, the loss of a breadwinner has not only brought emotional hardship but also worsened existing crises, frequent displacements, the destruction of homes, limited access to education and healthcare, and severe shortages of essential supplies such as food and medicine. Community leaders stress that bereavement is only one dimension of a broader crisis facing young lives shaped by prolonged hardship.

Officials marking the observance emphasised that the situation demands urgent attention and solidarity. They called for sustained support to help young people maintain some measure of stability through direct financial assistance, the rebuilding of facilities dedicated to children’s welfare, legal safeguards for the property and rights of those left behind, and comprehensive psychosocial programmes to help them navigate deep trauma and loss. Without coordinated action, the long-term effects on this generation are likely to be profound.