Childhood on hold: How Gaza’s children spend a summer without play | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Gaza City, Gaza Strip – In a partially destroyed building in western Gaza City, Faten Nabhan, 35, sat with her six school-age children. They took a brief respite after a morning of collecting water from delivery trucks that visit the camp.
As summer holidays approach, Faten strives to engage her children in enjoyable or educational activities. However, she finds herself struggling to find a starting point.
For the third consecutive year of conflict, the summer holiday experience for children in the Palestinian enclave has drastically changed since the onset of hostilities in October 2023. The ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of over 73,000 Palestinians, including thousands of children. Most of the region’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, leading to widespread displacement.
Instead of leisurely summer camps and recreational outings, children now begin their days by performing essential tasks such as collecting water, gathering food from communal kitchens, and sourcing firewood for cooking.
“This is my children’s routine every day… this is all they do,” Faten said, highlighting the stark reality many families face.
Faten expressed concern over her children’s limited opportunities for self-expression and recreation during the summer months. “No activities, no camps, no drawing, no colors—nothing at all. All I can manage is to have them memorize parts of the Quran,” she added. “We have ideas for activities, but resources don’t exist. There are no toys, no notebooks, not even paper and pens.”
Keeping Children Occupied
Faten must figure out how to keep her children engaged on her own, as her husband, Raafat, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on their home in the Jabalia refugee camp in October 2024.
“I can barely manage to feed my children and provide their basic needs,” she said, acknowledging the disproportionate responsibilities her children shoulder, including fetching water and assisting with household tasks.
“It grieves me that they are spending their childhood this way. This time should be for play, not for adult responsibilities,” she stated.
Unfortunately, community initiatives to offer psychological support during the summer months are absent. “Our children live in a forgotten corner of the world,” Faten said. “Every day, I see loss and sorrow in their eyes. Even play, the simplest of their needs, is missing.”
These sentiments reflect a broader crisis concerning the welfare of children, as highlighted by international organizations. A UNICEF assessment published in May revealed that young children in Gaza lack safe and stimulating environments essential for early development, while older children face prolonged learning disruptions with limited recovery prospects.
Jonathan Crickx, UNICEF’s chief of communications in Palestine, emphasized the importance of play for children in Gaza, stating that it is “not a luxury.” “Play is how children reclaim what war stole from them,” he noted.
Limited Opportunities
Asmaa Saleh, 41, also lives in displacement in Gaza with her five children. Throughout the ongoing conflict, she has moved frequently in search of safety, all while attempting to provide her children with an education.
To structure the summer holidays, Asmaa ensures her children memorize Quran verses and has secured spots at a local charity’s summer camp for two of her children—though only once a week.
“The camp day brings unusual excitement. They wake early, rush to get ready, and sometimes skip breakfast entirely,” Asmaa said, noting the stark contrast to the monotony of the rest of the week.
For the remaining six days, the routine consists of waking, eating, and assisting their mother with daily chores, including washing, cooking, and fetching water. Asmaa, a former UNICEF case manager, understands the significance of organized activities for her children’s development.
“Group activities during the vacation foster emotional development and cooperation, while prolonged confinement can lead to tension and conflict among siblings,” she explained. She has observed increased stress levels in her younger daughter, who does not attend summer camp, compared to her siblings who return from camp “fresh and happy.”
The lack of access to play and education represents a denial of fundamental rights for children, as outlined in international conventions. “Today, our children in Gaza are deprived of these essential rights at a time when they should be experiencing them in their simplest forms,” Asmaa said.
She is now focused on creating activities for all her children, even those who do not attend summer camp. Recently, a charitable organization provided her with crayons and drawing paper. She now sits with her children during the day to draw and color, striving to make the most of their summer.
“I’ll do anything to make use of their time,” Asmaa said. “Even one hour of organized play and drawing has a positive impact.”