In Gaza children are living through a reality no child should ever have to face

The war has taken more than homes and families. It has left many children with life changing injuries and forced them to begin a long journey of treatment and recovery

Some of them once spent their days running through the streets playing football and going to school. Now they are learning how to move with crutches or waiting for prosthetic limbs that may help them regain some independence

For these children losing a limb is only the beginning of a much longer struggle

They need surgeries medical care physical therapy and rehabilitation. They need prosthetic limbs that must be adjusted and replaced as their bodies grow. But in Gaza access to treatment and rehabilitation remains extremely difficult

Behind every injured child there is a life that has changed completely

There are children who dreamed of becoming football players and others who simply wanted to return to their classrooms and play with their friends again. Their dreams have not disappeared but reaching them has become much harder

The reality of these children is not only about physical pain. Many are also living with memories of the moments that changed their lives and the loss of family members homes and everything familiar to them

Still they continue to try

They learn to adapt to a body that suddenly feels different. They try to return to school when they can and find small moments of joy in a life surrounded by uncertainty

Children in Gaza do not need pity

They need treatment rehabilitation prosthetic limbs education and above all safety

A child who has lost a limb has not lost the right to play to learn or to dream

Behind every crutch and every prosthetic limb is a child still trying to build a future

And despite everything they have lost the children of Gaza are still holding on to their dreams.

For people in Gaza, the sea has always been more than just a view along the coast. It has been a place where families go in the summer, where children play and where people can sit for a while and forget about the heat and the pressure of everyday life.

During the hot summer days, many people head to the beach looking for some relief. The heat can be especially difficult for families living in tents or crowded places where there is little protection from the sun. Near the sea, the air feels cooler and the breeze can make the day a little easier.

Children are often the first to run toward the water. They swim, play in the waves and spend time on the sand while their families sit nearby. For a short time, the beach can give them a chance to enjoy something that feels normal.

But the situation is not as simple as it once was. Gaza has faced severe shortages of clean water and serious damage to water and sanitation systems. Pollution along the coast has also become a major concern. Some people still go into the sea because they need a way to cool themselves down, even though they know the water may not be safe.

For many families, going to the beach is not about having a holiday. It is simply about escaping the heat for a few hours. Sitting by the water can feel easier than staying inside a hot tent under the summer sun.

As the afternoon passes and the sun begins to go down, more people gather along the shore. The sound of the waves mixes with the voices of children and families talking together. These moments may seem ordinary, but for people living through difficult conditions, they can mean a lot.

The sea cannot solve the problems people in Gaza are facing. It cannot provide the clean water, safety or stability that families need. But for a few hours, it can offer a little shade, a cool breeze and a chance to breathe.

That is why Gaza’s sea remains an important part of people’s lives. Even in difficult times, people continue to look for small moments of comfort wherever they can find them.

Getting from one place to another in Gaza has become a difficult journey after the war

Many roads have been destroyed and filled with rubble and deep holes making movement between areas extremely difficult

Cars have also been damaged and fuel has become difficult to find while spare parts are often unavailable or too expensive for many families

People are forced to depend on old cars small trucks animal drawn carts and other simple ways of transportation just to reach hospitals markets schools and places where they can find basic necessities

For children elderly people and patients the situation is even harder because a short journey can take hours and every trip can become exhausting and dangerous

The destruction of roads has changed everyday life in Gaza and turned transportation into another burden for people who are already struggling to survive

Despite all these difficulties people continue to move and find ways to reach their destinations

Every damaged road tells a story of destruction and every person trying to cross it carries a story of patience survival and hope

In Gaza transportation is no longer just about reaching a place

It has become another daily struggle for survival

In 2026 the world is living through an extraordinary era of technological development

Artificial intelligence is changing classrooms universities and the way children learn across the world

Students in many countries are using computers tablets and artificial intelligence tools to study languages solve problems conduct research and imagine new futures

But in Gaza the reality is completely different

For hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children the dream is not to have the newest technology

Their dream is simply to have a safe classroom a notebook a teacher and a school they can return to

According to UNICEF around 700000 children between the ages of 4 and 17 in Gaza have missed almost three consecutive years of formal in person education Nearly 98 percent of school buildings have been damaged and more than 93 percent require major rehabilitation or complete reconstruction

From classrooms to tents

Schools that once represented safety routine and childhood have been destroyed or transformed into shelters

Many children now study inside temporary learning spaces and tents surrounded by displacement and destruction

Some sit on the floor with notebooks on their knees

Others study with borrowed books while trying to protect them from rain dust and difficult living conditions

For many children even reaching a learning space can be dangerous because enormous amounts of rubble remain across Gaza and unexploded weapons create additional risks

UNICEF reported in April 2026 that around 420000 children still had no access to face to face learning at all.

In the skies of Gaza crowded with pain and fear kites have become more than just a simple children’s game They have become a small window through which children look for joy and freedom in a place where many parts of their childhood have been taken away

Children in Gaza love kites because they give them moments where they feel they can fly away from the sounds of war and destruction away from tents and homes that have lost their warmth and away from the difficult memories that have become part of their daily lives

When a child runs after a kite holding its string in their hand they do not see only a piece of paper flying in the sky They see a small dream rising above them a moment of hope and a reminder of the normal childhood they deserve to live

Kites in Gaza have become a symbol of holding on to life Children who have experienced fear and displacement try to create moments of happiness from the simplest things A colorful piece of paper a long string and a wide sky can sometimes be enough to bring back a smile

Despite the pain that war has left on their faces and dreams children still chase kites in the air as if they are telling the world that childhood cannot disappear no matter how heavy the suffering becomes A child will always search for a game a laugh and a dream that can rise above every hardship

In Gaza kites do not only fly They carry the wishes of children who dream of a normal day without fear A day when they can go to school play freely and look at the sky as a place of dreams not a source of anxiety

Above Gaza kites fly as small messages from children saying that life still exists and that hope can always find its way even through the hardest times.

The war has transformed ordinary moments into daily battles Finding clean water searching for food reaching medical care and finding a safe place to sleep have become challenges faced by many families Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned about the severe impact of the conflict on civilians especially children who continue to suffer from displacement trauma and the loss of essential services

Children in Gaza are among the most affected by the violence Many of them have witnessed scenes no child should ever see They have been forced to leave their homes carry memories of fear and live in temporary shelters instead of schools and houses Yet behind their pain there are still moments of strength children trying to smile families supporting each other and communities refusing to lose their humanity

Mothers and fathers in Gaza are not only facing the destruction around them but also the emotional weight of protecting their families during one of the hardest periods of their lives Every parent hopes to see their children grow safely study dream and build a future without fear

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is not only about buildings and infrastructure it is about people It is about names faces and stories that deserve to be heard Every family has a story Every child has a dream and every life has value

The world may see numbers on screens but behind those numbers are human beings who want what every person wants safety dignity and peace

Gaza is not only a story of war It is a story of people trying to survive and hold on to hope despite everything they have lost.

Many of these children depended on regular treatment sessions and medications that had to be taken on time but the war led to severe shortages of medical supplies damage to hospitals and a lack of fuel needed to operate medical equipment which caused treatment to be delayed or stopped completely for many patients

The suffering of these children is not limited to their physical condition but also extends to their psychological well being A child who needs safety and constant care now lives surrounded by fear anxiety displacement and the sounds of bombardment while families struggle to provide food water shelter and medical care at the same time

In many cases doctors are forced to make extremely difficult decisions because of the shortage of medicine and medical equipment which places the lives of these young patients in even greater danger Poor nutrition and the spread of infectious diseases have also worsened the condition of children whose immune systems are already weak

Despite these harsh circumstances many families still hold on to hope and continue to fight for their children’s right to treatment and life Medical teams also continue their work under extraordinary conditions doing everything possible with the limited resources available to them

The story of children with cancer in Gaza remains one of the most heartbreaking stories because it reflects the immense suffering experienced by children when their most basic right the right to medicine and treatment becomes an impossible dream.

Since the beginning of the war on Gaza thousands of Palestinians have lived a painful experience inside Israeli prisons and detention centers far away from their families and loved ones

The suffering of prisoners is not only about losing their freedom but also about facing difficult conditions fear and uncertainty about their future

Gaza prisoners who were arrested during the war left behind families who are waiting for any news about them with hearts full of worry and fear

Many families do not know where their sons are or what conditions they are living in while the days pass slowly between waiting and praying

Reports from human rights organizations have spoken about difficult conditions inside prisons and detention centers including the lack of medical care the spread of diseases overcrowding and the difficulty of getting basic needs

Inside the cells the prisoner does not only carry chains but also carries memories of his home his children and the streets of Gaza that he left behind

Behind every prisoner there is a human story

A father who was separated from his children

A son who does not know how his mother is doing

A young person whose dreams were stopped behind a closed prison door

In Gaza the suffering of prisoners does not end with the moment of arrest but continues with their families who live every day waiting for their return

The picture of the prisoner remains on the walls of homes and his voice stays alive in the hearts of those waiting for him

The prisoners issue is not just numbers in reports but stories of people with names memories and dreams waiting to return

Behind every closed door there is a human being waiting for a new morning and a return to the arms of his family

Since the beginning of the war on Gaza life has changed for hundreds of thousands of people The days are no longer measured by work school and normal activities but by searching for safety waiting for news and trying to survive in difficult conditions

Behind the pictures of destruction and major events there are many human stories of people who try to continue their lives despite the losses that affected their homes their families and their memories

The War That Changed the Place

The war has greatly affected the cities and areas of Gaza Many buildings and neighborhoods have been damaged and many families have lost their homes and places that were part of their daily lives

For people places are not only buildings The home carries childhood memories the neighborhood carries stories of neighbors and schools carry dreams of students Losing a place means losing a part of personal history

Civilians During Daily Suffering

People in Gaza face difficult humanitarian conditions during the war including displacement losing homes and difficulty reaching basic needs Families try to adapt to a new reality through helping each other and depending on community support

The stories of mothers trying to protect their children fathers searching for safety and children trying to continue their lives despite fear have become part of everyday life

Children and Memories of War

Children are among the most affected groups during wars They experience difficult situations that leave deep memories Instead of memories filled with games and school many children remember fear loss and changes around them

Despite this many children try to return to some normal life through learning playing and holding on to hope

Despite the Destruction Life Continues

Despite the great losses many people in Gaza continue to support each other through helping families in need reopening schools and trying to rebuild their lives

War cannot remove the human desire to live and it cannot erase the connection between people and their homes Many people try to save their stories through photos writing and documenting their experiences for future generations

Gaza A Memory of People During War

Gaza is not only news and pictures from a war zone It is a place where people have dreams memories and stories While the effects of war continue to change the place and its people keeping memories alive remains an important way to protect these stories from being forgotten

Every saved photo every human story and every memory represents a part of the history of a city whose people continue to search for life and hope

What was once a temporary shelter has become a classroom where children gather every day carrying their notebooks and holding on to their dreams despite the difficult circumstances around them

After many schools were damaged or destroyed thousands of students were left without access to education for long periods of time Teachers volunteers and community members began creating educational tents to help children continue learning and maintain a sense of normal life

Inside these tents children sit on the ground while teachers use simple materials to explain lessons and encourage students to keep moving forward Despite the lack of electricity books internet access and other essential resources these classes continue every day

The purpose of these tents is not limited to education alone They also provide emotional support and a safe environment where children can spend time with friends learn new skills and find relief from the fear and anxiety caused by the war

Many students travel long distances to reach their educational tents while teachers continue their work with determination and patience believing that education remains one of the most powerful ways to protect the future of the next generation

The story of the educational tents in Gaza is a story of resilience determination and hope It proves that education is not defined by walls buildings or classrooms but by the strong desire to learn and to build a better future

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has become one of the most severe crises in recent history. The ongoing war, combined with the widespread destruction of infrastructure and the severe restrictions on humanitarian aid, has placed more than two million people at risk of hunger and malnutrition. Access to food is no longer guaranteed; instead, it has become a daily struggle for families, particularly for children, women, older adults, and people with chronic illnesses.

International humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that food insecurity in Gaza has reached critical levels. Reports indicate alarming increases in cases of acute malnutrition, especially among young children, highlighting the urgent need for sustained humanitarian assistance and uninterrupted access to essential supplies.

The Impact of War on Food Security

The war has caused extensive damage to Gaza’s agricultural sector. Large areas of farmland have been destroyed, crops have been lost, and livestock production has been severely affected. Markets, bakeries, food storage facilities, and other essential infrastructure have also been damaged or destroyed. At the same time, electricity shortages and limited fuel supplies have disrupted food production, water treatment, and refrigeration systems, making it increasingly difficult to provide safe and nutritious food.

In addition, thousands of people have lost their jobs and sources of income due to the destruction of businesses and workplaces. As a result, many families have become almost entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic nutritional needs.

The Decline in Food Supplies

One of the major factors contributing to the worsening humanitarian crisis is the significant reduction in the amount of food entering the Gaza Strip. Deliveries of humanitarian aid, including flour, rice, cooking oil, legumes, infant formula, and other essential goods, have often been delayed or restricted. Consequently, food shortages have become widespread, while the prices of available products have risen beyond the reach of many households.

As supplies have continued to decline, families have been forced to reduce the number of meals they eat each day. Many households now survive on only one limited meal, which often lacks the nutrients required for a healthy diet.

Visible Signs of Famine

The effects of famine can be seen throughout everyday life in Gaza. Long lines of people waiting for bread or food assistance have become a common sight. Many parents struggle to provide enough food for their children, while humanitarian organizations continue to report increasing levels of malnutrition.

The most visible consequences include severe weight loss among children, limited access to infant formula, inadequate nutrition for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and growing difficulties in obtaining food for elderly people and patients with chronic diseases. In many cases, families are forced to divide very small amounts of food among all family members, while others skip meals altogether because they have nothing available to eat.

Health Consequences

The consequences of famine extend far beyond hunger itself. Inadequate nutrition weakens the immune system, making people more vulnerable to infectious diseases and other health complications. Children are particularly affected because proper nutrition is essential for healthy physical and cognitive development. Prolonged malnutrition may result in permanent developmental delays, reduced learning capacity, and increased health risks throughout life.

Furthermore, insufficient intake of essential vitamins and minerals contributes to fatigue, weakness, anemia, and a higher risk of serious illness. Vulnerable groups, including infants, older adults, and individuals with chronic medical conditions, face the greatest danger.

Psychological and Social Consequences

The humanitarian crisis has also created profound psychological and social challenges. Alongside the constant fear associated with armed conflict, many families now face the daily uncertainty of whether they will have enough food to survive. Parents often experience feelings of helplessness because they cannot provide adequate nutrition for their children, while children themselves suffer from anxiety, emotional distress, and the physical effects of prolonged hunger.

Education has also been affected. Hunger and poor nutrition reduce children’s ability to concentrate, learn, and participate in educational activities, further limiting their opportunities for future development.

The Role of Humanitarian Organizations

International organizations, including the World Food Programme, UNICEF, and other humanitarian agencies, continue to provide food assistance, nutritional supplements, and emergency support whenever possible. However, these organizations have consistently emphasized that the scale of humanitarian needs greatly exceeds the assistance currently reaching the population. They continue to call for safe sustained and unhindered humanitarian access to ensure that civilians receive the food water and medical supplies necessary for survival.

Conclusion

The famine in Gaza represents far more than a shortage of food it is a comprehensive humanitarian crisis affecting every aspect of civilian life The combined effects of war the destruction of food production systems and the limited availability of humanitarian supplies have created unprecedented levels of food insecurity particularly among children women and older adults.

Addressing this crisis requires an immediate and coordinated international response that guarantees continuous access to food clean water and essential medical supplies Access to adequate food is a fundamental human right and protecting that right remains essential to preserving human dignity and preventing further loss of life.

In the world of childhood, dreams are usually connected to playing, school, friendships, and a bright future. However, children in Gaza live a very different reality, where their simple dreams are mixed with fear, destruction, and uncertainty about tomorrow. Despite the difficult circumstances, many children continue to hold on to their dreams and their desire to build a better life. Reports from the United Nations and child-focused organizations have highlighted the deep humanitarian and psychological impact that years of conflict have had on children in Gaza, including the loss of homes, schools, and safe spaces.

A Childhood Delayed by War

A child in Gaza carries more than just a schoolbag or toys; many carry painful memories and experiences far beyond their years. Instead of spending their time in parks and playgrounds, some children face challenges such as displacement, losing loved ones, and interruptions to their education. These circumstances affect their sense of safety and their ability to experience a normal childhood.

Yet, there are still moments that bring back parts of their childhood. A child may draw a picture of a home they dream of returning to, another may wish to become a doctor or an engineer to help their community, and a young girl may dream of a school filled with books and laughter instead of fear.

Dreams That Survive Despite the Pain

Despite the destruction, the dreams of Gaza’s children remain alive. Some dream of becoming teachers because education represents a path toward a better future. Others hope to become doctors who can save lives or engineers who can help rebuild what has been damaged.

These dreams are not only personal wishes; they represent the hopes of an entire generation seeking stability and a chance to live with dignity. Children in Gaza have expressed their desire for a future that provides safety, education, and the opportunity to contribute to rebuilding their society.

Education: A Window Toward the Future

For children in Gaza, education is more than just studying; it is a symbol of hope and continuity. School is not only a place for learning but also a space where children can meet friends and experience a sense of normal life.

However, repeated crises have affected education, leaving many children in need of psychological and educational support to help them regain confidence in their future.

Hope Among the Ruins

Despite all the hardships, many stories show children trying to reclaim moments of joy. Some return to playing, learning, and participating in activities that help them express their feelings. These moments show that childhood has the ability to search for light even in the darkest circumstances.

Conclusion

The dreams of Gaza’s children are not different from the dreams of children everywhere. They want safety, education, happiness, and a future full of opportunities. The difference is that they are forced to carry these dreams under much harsher conditions.

Protecting children’s dreams is not only the responsibility of their families but a responsibility shared by the whole world, because the future of any society begins with its children’s ability to dream.

“War may destroy walls, but it cannot stop a child from imagining a new home, a new school, and a better tomorrow.”

To every heart that still believes in humanity

We write to you from a place where fear has become part of everyday life. From Gaza, a land carrying pain beyond what words can describe. Behind every broken window there is a story, and behind every destroyed home there is a family that once dreamed of a simple and safe life.

World… look at the children who asked for nothing more than a normal childhood. Look at the mothers carrying fear instead of comfort, and the fathers who stand helpless in front of suffering they cannot protect their loved ones from.

Gaza is not just numbers in news reports, and it is not images that disappear after a few moments. Gaza is a human being with a name, memories, and dreams. It is a child who wants to return to school, a mother who dreams of seeing her children grow up, and a family that only wants to live one day without fear.

To the world… do not allow human suffering to become a passing scene. Behind every headline there is a person, behind every image there is a beating heart, and behind every tear there is a story that deserves to be heard.

The people of Gaza are not asking for the impossible. They are asking for their basic right to live, to feel safe, to have a home that protects them, and to have a future not written by fear and destruction.

Despite all the wounds, hope remains alive. People continue to rebuild, support each other, and hold on to life among the ruins. Because humanity, even in its darkest moments, continues to search for light.

World… listen to Gaza’s voice, not as another news story, but as a human call from hearts that want to live with peace and dignity.

Peace is not a distant dream… it is a right for every human being.

Since the outbreak of the war, the people of the Gaza Strip have been living through one of the most devastating humanitarian crises of modern times. Entire cities and neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, while hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been forced to seek shelter in overcrowded tents that lack even the most basic necessities of life. Food, clean water, medical supplies, electricity, and safe shelter have become increasingly scarce.

For the people of Gaza, war is no longer defined only by the sound of explosions or the sight of destroyed buildings. It has become a daily reality that affects every aspect of life. Children have lost their families, mothers struggle to find enough food to feed their children, patients wait for life-saving treatment that may never arrive, and families have been displaced repeatedly in search of safety, only to face even harsher conditions each time.

In recent months, yellow concrete blocks have appeared in several areas of Gaza, marking what has become known as the “Yellow Line”—areas associated with severe movement restrictions. According to United Nations reports, these barriers have made civilian movement even more difficult, forcing additional families to flee their homes while further limiting access to essential services and humanitarian assistance in a territory where safe spaces have become increasingly rare.

Despite unimaginable suffering, the people of Gaza continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience. Children still find moments to play among the tents, students continue their education under extremely difficult circumstances, and humanitarian workers and volunteers risk their lives every day to deliver aid to those in desperate need.

International humanitarian organizations continue to warn that Gaza’s humanitarian needs remain overwhelming. Millions of people require urgent access to food, clean water, healthcare, shelter, and protection, while humanitarian agencies stress the importance of ensuring the safe and unhindered delivery of aid to civilians.

The suffering of Gaza’s people cannot be measured by statistics alone. Behind every number is a family that has lost a home, a loved one, or the hope of a peaceful future. Their stories serve as a reminder of the profound human cost of war and the urgent need to protect civilians, uphold international humanitarian law, and create the conditions necessary for people to live with dignity, safety, and hope once again.

Devastating Loss: Between Duty and Heartbreak

Throughout the war on Gaza, his voice remained constant, reporting on gunfire, the thunders of explosions, and stories of displaced families forced from their homes. But the heaviest blow came when the coverage turned to his own family and home.

In a tragic moment, the area where his family had sought safety was targeted, leaving Al-Dahdouh grieving the loss of his wife, his children (Mahmoud and Asmaa), and his infant grandson, Adam.

Despite the magnitude of the tragedy and the weight of the shock, Al-Dahdouh appeared before the world’s cameras bidding farewell to his loved ones with words that became an icon of patience and faith:

"They take revenge on us through our children? It is okay... To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return."

Not long after this tragedy, loss struck him again when his eldest son, Hamza Al-Dahdouh—who was following in his father's footsteps as a journalist—was killed in a direct strike on his vehicle while performing his journalistic duties.

Amidst the Rubble and the Pain of Continuing

Wael Al-Dahdouh demonstrated extraordinary fortitude. Just hours after laying his family members to rest, he reappeared in his press vest and iconic helmet, microphone in hand, to resume reporting.

His continuation was not merely professional commitment; it was a clear message that coverage would persist, and that the voice of the victims would not be silenced by personal grief.

Forced Departure and Medical Treatment

As the war dragged on, Al-Dahdouh sustained severe injuries to his hand and body in an attack that also claimed the life of his colleague and cameraman, Samer Abu Daqqa. Despite his determination to stay, his critical health condition and severe hand injury required him to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Leaving Gaza was one of the hardest decisions he ever had to make. He left behind a land watered with his family's blood and a city whose every corner he had covered, departing physically for treatment while his heart and soul remained in Gaza:

• Physical Absence, Enduring Spirit: Al-Dahdouh left Gaza out of necessity to heal and undergo surgeries, yet he continued to amplify the voice of his people from every available global platform and venue.

• Symbol of Resilience: Al-Dahdouh transformed into a global icon of courage in journalism and humanity that refuses to break despite unimaginable losses.

Moving Images That Define Suffering and Resilience

Several moments remain etched in the memory of Arab and global media regarding Wael Al-Dahdouh:

1. Farewell to Loved Ones: Bending over to kiss the foreheads of his son, wife, and grandson at the hospital, carrying a grief beyond words.

2. Press Vest Above Pain: Holding the microphone with a hand trembling from grief just hours after his family's martyrdom, steadfast in his dedication.

3. Saying Goodbye to Hamza: The final moments placing his hand on the head of his journalist son, Hamza, in a heart-wrenching scene.

4. Crossing the Border: The exhausted features on his face as he left Gaza for treatment, summarizing the pain of an entire population enduring displacement and sorrow.

As Temperatures Rise, Displaced Communities Face a Daily Struggle for Survival

Across many regions affected by displacement and humanitarian crises, rising temperatures are creating a new layer of suffering for thousands of families living in temporary shelters. For people forced to seek refuge in tents, extreme heat is not simply an uncomfortable weather condition — it is a daily threat that affects health, safety, and human dignity.

Under a relentless summer sun, fragile tents made from fabric and plastic materials often provide little protection from soaring temperatures. During the hottest hours of the day, these shelters can become dangerously hot spaces where families struggle to breathe, rest, or find relief from the heat.

For many displaced people, the search for shade, clean water, and a few moments of comfort has become part of their daily routine.

Tents Turn Into Traps During Extreme Heat

Temporary shelters are designed to provide immediate protection during emergencies, but for many families they have become long-term homes. As heat waves intensify, these shelters often fail to provide the protection people desperately need.

Inside crowded tents, temperatures can rise rapidly, creating harsh living conditions, especially for children, older adults, and people with existing health problems. Nights offer little relief, as heat trapped inside the tents makes sleeping difficult and prevents families from recovering from the physical exhaustion of the day.

Many parents are forced to make impossible choices: how to keep their children hydrated, how to protect them from the sun, and how to cope with limited resources in an environment where even basic needs are difficult to access.

Children and Vulnerable Groups Face the Greatest Risks

Humanitarian organizations have long warned that extreme heat places the most vulnerable populations at increased risk. Children are particularly affected because their bodies are more sensitive to dehydration and heat-related illnesses.

In overcrowded camps, children often spend their days in environments with limited shade and insufficient cooling options. Their ability to play, learn, and live normally is disrupted by conditions beyond their control.

Older people and individuals with chronic illnesses face additional dangers. High temperatures can worsen existing medical conditions, while limited access to healthcare services makes treatment more difficult when emergencies occur.

Water Shortages Add to the Crisis

During periods of extreme heat, access to clean and sufficient water becomes a matter of survival. Families living in camps often face challenges obtaining enough water for drinking, cooking, hygiene, and cooling themselves.

Long waits at water distribution points are common, while increasing temperatures raise the need for greater water consumption. A shortage of clean water can also increase health risks and create additional pressure on already vulnerable communities.

A Humanitarian Challenge Beyond the Weather

Heat waves affect communities around the world, but their consequences are not experienced equally. People living in stable homes may have access to cooling systems, insulated buildings, and reliable water supplies. Families living in tents often face the full force of extreme weather with limited protection.

Behind every tent is a family with a story — parents trying to protect their children, elderly people struggling through difficult conditions, and communities supporting one another despite overwhelming challenges.

Their resilience reflects the strength of human beings in the face of adversity, but resilience alone cannot replace the need for urgent support and long-term solutions.

A Call for Protection and Human Dignity

The suffering of people living in tents during extreme heat is not only a climate issue; it is a humanitarian concern. Ensuring access to clean water, improving emergency shelters, providing cooling solutions, and protecting vulnerable groups are essential steps to prevent further suffering.

As global temperatures continue to rise, the need to support displaced and vulnerable communities becomes increasingly urgent. Every person has the right to safety, shelter, and dignity — regardless of their circumstances.

The heat may be unavoidable, but the suffering caused by a lack of protection can be reduced through compassion, action, and international commitment.

Behind every tent is a human life. Behind every struggle is a call for humanity.

Ismail Al Ghoul was more than a Palestinian journalist—he was a witness to one of the deadliest wars of the modern era. From the heart of Gaza, surrounded by destruction, smoke, and constant bombardment, he chose to remain in the field, documenting the reality unfolding around him despite the immense dangers he faced every day.

Born in 1997 in the Gaza Strip, Ismail grew up under years of blockade and recurring conflicts. From an early age, he believed journalism was not merely a profession but a humanitarian mission: to tell the stories of ordinary people and ensure that their voices reached the world. During the war in Gaza, he became one of the most recognizable field reporters, particularly in northern Gaza, where humanitarian and security conditions were among the most severe.

For months, Ismail reported live from neighborhoods devastated by airstrikes. He documented destroyed homes, overcrowded shelters, overwhelmed hospitals, and families struggling to survive with limited food, water, and medical care. His reports were never limited to statistics—they captured the faces of frightened children, the grief of parents, and the resilience of civilians trying to endure unimaginable hardship. Through his camera and voice, he brought the human side of the conflict to audiences around the world.

In March 2024, while covering events near Al-Shifa Hospital, Ismail was detained by Israeli forces before later being released. Following his release, he described the treatment he and fellow journalists experienced during detention and reported that their professional equipment had been damaged.

On July 31, 2024, while carrying out his journalistic duties alongside cameraman Rami Al-Rifi, Ismail Al Ghoul was killed in an Israeli strike that hit their vehicle in Gaza City. Israel acknowledged carrying out the strike and stated that it had targeted him for military reasons. Al Jazeera rejected those allegations, describing them as unsupported, while international press freedom organizations called for an independent investigation into his killing.

The death of Ismail Al Ghoul sparked widespread grief among journalists, media organizations, and advocates for press freedom worldwide. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) identified him among the many journalists killed while reporting in Gaza and renewed its calls for the protection of journalists and for accountability in accordance with international law.

Today, Ismail Al Ghoul is remembered as a journalist who refused to abandon the field, believing that the truth deserved to be documented regardless of the risks. His reports and footage remain part of the historical record of the war in Gaza, preserving the voices and experiences of countless civilians whose stories might otherwise have gone unheard.

May Ismail Al Ghoul and Rami Al-Rifi rest in peace, along with all journalists who have lost their lives while carrying out their professional duty. Their commitment to documenting events under extraordinary danger will continue to be remembered by colleagues and audiences around the world.

In times of war, journalism becomes far more than a profession—it becomes a responsibility, a mission, and sometimes the ultimate sacrifice. Palestinian journalist Anas Al Sharif embodied this truth throughout the war in Gaza. While countless families were forced to flee in search of safety, he chose to remain in northern Gaza, documenting the reality unfolding around him and giving a voice to those who could no longer speak for themselves.

From the first days of the war, Anas reported from some of the most dangerous areas in Gaza. Surrounded by relentless airstrikes, destruction, hunger, and fear, he continued to deliver accurate and immediate reports to the world. Every broadcast was made under the constant threat of death, yet he remained committed to his duty as a journalist.

His reports were more than breaking news. They carried the stories of grieving parents, displaced families, injured children, exhausted medical workers, and civilians struggling to survive. Through his camera and microphone, millions around the world witnessed the human cost of the war. He believed that the suffering of innocent civilians deserved to be seen and remembered.

As the months passed, Anas Al Sharif became one of the most recognizable journalists covering Gaza. His calm professionalism, courage, and unwavering commitment earned him the respect of viewers, fellow journalists, and media organizations alike. Despite the immense danger, he refused to abandon northern Gaza, choosing instead to stay alongside the people whose stories he was determined to tell.

On August 10, 2025, Anas Al Sharif was killed in a strike while staying in a journalists’ tent near Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City. Several of his fellow journalists were also killed in the same attack. His death marked the loss of a journalist who had continued reporting from inside Gaza throughout the war, despite the extraordinary risks.

Following his death, a farewell message that he had prepared in advance was shared publicly. In it, he expressed his hope that he had fulfilled his responsibility by conveying the truth and documenting the suffering of his people. His words resonated with many, reflecting the dedication with which he approached his work until the very end.

The legacy of Anas Al Sharif extends far beyond his final report. His journalism preserved the voices of civilians living through unimaginable hardship and ensured that their experiences reached audiences across the globe. His work stands as a lasting record of one of the most devastating chapters in Gaza’s history.

Anas Al Sharif’s life reminds us that journalism is not only about reporting events—it is about bearing witness, preserving the truth, and honoring the stories of those whose lives are forever changed by conflict. Though he is gone, his courage, his commitment, and the truth he documented will continue to be remembered.

While war overshadowed every aspect of life in the Gaza Strip, thousands of Tawjihi (General Secondary Education Certificate) students chose to hold on to their dreams. Their academic journey was anything but ordinary. They studied in displacement tents, under dim lights, amid the sounds of explosions, and through prolonged power outages, unstable internet connections, and a severe lack of basic educational resources. Yet, despite these overwhelming challenges, they reached the day of their final results carrying with them remarkable stories of resilience and determination.

For these students, education became an act of perseverance. Surrounded by destruction and living in shelters, they continued studying as best they could, adapting to online examinations despite unreliable internet access and the constant struggle to charge their phones and devices due to the lack of electricity. Many of them endured repeated displacement, lost family members, or faced immense psychological hardship, but they refused to give up on their dreams.

When the Tawjihi results were finally announced, scenes of joy and sorrow unfolded side by side. In displacement camps across Gaza, cheers of celebration echoed through the tents as families embraced their successful sons and daughters. Their happiness, however, was intertwined with the pain of loss, reminding the world that many students achieved their success while carrying the grief of loved ones they had lost during the war.

The success of Gaza’s Tawjihi students cannot be measured by grades alone. It is measured by the obstacles they overcame, the sacrifices they endured, and the hope they refused to abandon. Their achievements stand as a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring belief that education remains a path toward a better future, even in the darkest of times.

Suggested Headlines:

• Against All Odds: Gaza’s Students Triumph Through Education

• From Displacement Tents to Academic Success

• When Determination Defeats War

• Hope Rises from the Rubble: Gaza’s Tawjihi Success Stories

For nearly three years since the war began in October 2023, the people of Gaza have endured one of the longest and most devastating power outages in modern history. Electricity has become a distant memory for most families. What was once a daily inconvenience has turned into a constant humanitarian crisis, affecting every aspect of life.

In displacement camps, darkness falls long before the sun sets. Families living in tents have no reliable lighting, no fans to ease the unbearable summer heat, and no electrical appliances to meet even the most basic daily needs. As night arrives, entire camps are swallowed by darkness, leaving thousands of people feeling isolated and vulnerable.

Life Inside the Tents

For displaced families, every evening brings new hardship. Parents light candles or use small battery-powered lamps, hoping to save what little power remains. Children try to read, study, or play under dim light, while mothers worry that a single candle could ignite the fabric of the tent and cause a deadly fire.

Electricity is no longer a matter of comfort—it has become essential for survival.

The Fuel Crisis

Small generators have become the only source of electricity for many families, humanitarian organizations, and medical facilities. However, these generators depend on diesel fuel, which has become extremely scarce. Even when fuel is available, it is often too expensive or insufficient to meet the overwhelming demand.

Without diesel, generators stop running, and with them stop:

• Water wells and desalination plants.

• Sewage pumping stations.

• Refrigeration for medicines and vaccines.

• Life-saving medical equipment.

• Bakeries that provide bread to thousands of families.

A Humanitarian Crisis Beyond Darkness

The absence of electricity has created far more than darkness. During the scorching summer months, tents become unbearably hot, with no fans or cooling systems. Children, elderly people, and those with chronic illnesses suffer the most as temperatures rise inside the overcrowded shelters.

At night, the darkness increases fear and insecurity, especially for women and children living in crowded displacement camps with almost no lighting.

Patients Paying the Highest Price

Thousands of patients depend on electricity every day. Medical devices, oxygen concentrators, refrigeration for essential medicines, and emergency hospital equipment all require a stable power supply.

Hospitals continue to rely on emergency generators, but these too depend on limited fuel supplies. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that fuel shortages threaten the operation of critical health services, placing countless lives at risk.

Water Depends on Electricity

In Gaza, electricity is directly connected to access to clean water. Water wells, desalination plants, and pumping stations cannot operate without power or fuel. As a result, families often wait for hours to collect small amounts of water while sanitation services continue to deteriorate, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.

When Simple Things Become Dreams

Charging a phone to contact loved ones…

Turning on a light so children can study…

Running a fan to help a baby sleep…

Powering a medical device that keeps a patient alive…

For millions around the world, these are ordinary moments. For families in Gaza, they have become daily dreams.

Conclusion

Electricity is not a luxury—it is a basic human necessity. Nearly three years of war, prolonged power outages, and severe fuel shortages have transformed everyday life into a constant struggle for survival.

Behind every dark tent is a family waiting for light.

Behind every silent generator is a community hoping for fuel.

And behind every night without electricity are people trying to preserve hope despite overwhelming hardship.