Khan Younis, Gaza Strip – On Friday, dozens of young boys and girls participated in a race designed to spotlight the hardships faced by children who have lost one or both parents during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The event took place amid a devastating backdrop: since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 73,000 people in Gaza, according to health officials in the territory. The United Nations children’s agency, UNICEF, reports that over 58,000 children in Gaza have been orphaned, with more than one million requiring protection and psychosocial support due to the war’s impact.

Thirteen-year-old Saif Hijazi, whose father Rami Hijazi was killed in an Israeli strike on their northern Gaza home in January 2024, shared, “He used to take care of everything for us.” Saif was among 100 orphaned children symbolically honored during the race, with his name called first to recognize his courage and the challenges he has faced since losing his father and sustaining injuries.

Samah Abu Amra, a 43-year-old mother of five children aged seven to 19, described the situation: “Life is extremely difficult, and the situation is beyond what anyone can bear.”

The race offered a brief moment of focus on the children’s resilience, as they dashed off cheered by relatives and friends, momentarily shifting attention away from the destruction surrounding them. Meanwhile, Gaza’s hospitals continue to face critical shortages and strain due to the ongoing conflict.

Sources