In the overcrowded tent camps stretching across southern Gaza, families caring for autistic children say survival has become an exhausting daily struggle as the genocidal war continues to uproot hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. What were once temporary shelters have turned into chaotic environments where vulnerable children are exposed to fear, disorientation, and constant danger.

Parents describe how children with autism spectrum disorder are suffering severe psychological and behavioural deterioration after months of repeated displacement, bombardment, and the collapse of medical and educational services. The relentless sound of drones and warplanes, combined with overcrowded shelters and extreme heat, has shattered the routines many autistic children depend on for stability. Families say many children can no longer access therapy, specialised education, or medication, leaving caregivers isolated and overwhelmed.

In Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis, the mother of nine-year-old Mohammed Mansour says her son frequently wanders away from the family’s tent because he cannot distinguish between the endless rows of shelters. She explained that every disappearance turns into hours of panic as relatives search through packed camps fearing he may never return. According to his family, Mohammed had previously travelled abroad for treatment before the genocidal war, but border closures and the destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system have ended any chance of continuing specialised care.

The dangers facing autistic children became tragically clear in the case of 11-year-old Anas Ahmed, who reportedly became separated from his family during heavy Israeli bombardment several months ago. Relatives said the child, who had severe autism, ran from the tent area in a state of terror and became lost among the displacement camps before reaching a militarised zone near Rafah. His body was reportedly recovered days later after he was shot near an Israeli military position, leaving his family devastated and deepening fears among displaced parents already struggling to protect vulnerable children.

Human rights advocates warn that the humanitarian response in Gaza continues to overlook the specific needs of persons with disabilities despite the worsening humanitarian catastrophe. Campaigners say displacement sites lack safe spaces, specialist support teams, and emergency systems capable of locating missing disabled children. They argue that the absence of such protections has left some of Gaza’s most vulnerable residents exposed to deadly risks while the genocidal war continues to destroy civilian life across the territory.