Gaza’s children carry adult responsibilities as Israel's war forces them into work

Key Concepts

• Child Labor: Children being forced to work to support their families due to economic collapse and loss of parental income.
• Economic Collapse in Gaza: The severe deterioration of the economy in Gaza, particularly after the war, leading to widespread unemployment and poverty.
• Loss of Parental Income: The death or inability of parents to earn a living, forcing children to become breadwinners.
• Negative Coping Mechanisms: Desperate measures families and children resort to for survival, such as scavenging, child labor, and risking lives in dangerous jobs.
• Disruption of Education: The widespread closure of schools and the deprivation of educational opportunities for children.
• Mental Health Impact: The severe psychological toll on children due to war, displacement, loss, and the burden of adult responsibilities.
• Humanitarian Crisis: The dire living conditions in Gaza, characterized by lack of basic necessities like food, water, shelter, hygiene, and sanitation.
• Malnutrition: The risk of death from acute malnutrition for young children.
• Man-made Disaster: The assertion that the crisis in Gaza is a result of siege and occupation policies, not a natural disaster.
• Ceasefire and Aid: The call for a ceasefire and the consistent, large-scale entry of supplies into Gaza to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

Child Labor and Economic Collapse in Gaza

The transcript highlights the devastating impact of the war in Gaza on children, forcing many into labor to support their families. A prominent example is 15-year-old Muhammad Ashur, who has become the sole breadwinner after his father was killed. Muhammad describes the immense burden of his responsibilities, stating, "This burden isn't mine to carry. How old am I? This work, carrying thermoses, cups, going back and forth, it's too much. I'm exhausted, but I have to do it to support my siblings." He expresses a longing for his former life, saying, "If my father was alive, you'd find me at home going to school."

Muhammad's mother, Atab, corroborates this, emphasizing that her son is shouldering responsibilities far beyond his age. She explains, "After his father was killed, we were left with no income at all. His older brothers can't find work in Gaza, and I'm unable to provide him with anything. He's still a child, but he's carrying a responsibility that isn't his. The circumstances pushed us into this."

This situation is not isolated. The economic collapse in Gaza has compelled numerous children, some as young as eight, to engage in dangerous jobs or steal goods to survive. This not only deprives them of education but also of their childhood.

UNICEF's Concerns and Interventions

UNICEF, described as the "biggest child protection actor in the Gaza Strip," has expressed concern over the rising numbers of children forced into labor. They are observing an increase in children scavenging for scrap or firewood to sell, and children selling coffee and other items in markets. UNICEF, in collaboration with partners, is implementing measures to address these "negative coping mechanisms." These interventions include:

• Cash Assistance: Providing financial support to families.
• Education on Risks: Informing families about the dangers and consequences of child labor.
• Employment Resumption Support: Assisting families in finding ways to resume employment.

The Broader Humanitarian Crisis and its Impact on Children

Hind Alhendeli, reporting from Gaza City, paints a grim picture of the daily realities for Palestinian children. She notes that for the past two years, children have been living in crisis, forced to queue for hours for water, line up for hot meals, and perform chores they should not be doing. The war's toll on these children has been "massive."

Data and Statistics:

• According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, at least 39,000 Palestinian children have lost one or both parents since October 2023. This statistic underscores the scale of orphanhood and the resulting pressure on surviving family members.
• UNICEF and the World Health Organization report that at least 4,000 Palestinian children require medical evacuation from the Gaza Strip.
• Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children are deprived of education.
• Hundreds of thousands are homeless, lacking shelter, hygiene, and sanitation.
• Nearly half of Gaza's population is under the age of 18.
• More than 660,000 children are out of school, a significant number in a territory that previously had high youth literacy rates.
• At least 132,000 children under the age of five face the risk of death from acute malnutrition, according to Save the Children.

The approaching winter poses an additional threat, with dozens of children having died from cold weather in the previous year, highlighting the harsh reality of their living conditions.

Child Labor as a Necessity for Survival

Rachel Cummings, Gaza Humanitarian Director for Save the Children International, discusses the complex nature of child labor in Gaza. While acknowledging that child labor is inherently dangerous and exploitative, she states that in the current context, it has become a "necessity not just to earn a living but for their survival for the survival of their families."

Children are reporting that they are taking on additional responsibilities and employing "negative coping mechanisms" to secure food, water, and firewood, and to care for siblings and elderly relatives. The entire family structure has been disrupted, leaving children highly vulnerable.

The Man-Made Nature of the Crisis

Cummings emphasizes that the situation in Gaza is not a natural disaster but a "man-made disaster," a direct result of "siege and occupation policies." These policies create the conditions that force children into such desperate measures. The lack of formal education for over 600,000 children is particularly concerning, as education provides not only learning but also structure, normality, and hope. Save the Children is working to scale up learning provisions through temporary learning spaces.

Calls for Action

The discussion concludes with a call for immediate action to end the crisis. The key demands include:

• A ceasefire that holds.
• The consistent and large-scale entry of supplies into Gaza to ensure adequate food, nutrition, water, security, and protection for the population.

The current situation is described as lacking these essential elements, leading to the dire circumstances faced by children.