Israeli forces began airstrikes and ground operations after Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched a deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking over 200 hostages—many of whom remain captive. Israeli military operations have since caused catastrophic destruction and widespread death and displacement throughout Gaza, particularly in the north, killing more than 36,000 Palestinians and injuring more than 81,000 others. More than 50% of the identified fatalities are said to be women and children.

The IRC is deeply concerned over reports of multiple mass graves found at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City following the Israeli military’s withdrawal from both sites.

“Some of the deceased were allegedly elderly, women and wounded individuals—with some found with their hands tied and stripped of their clothes,” said IRC vice president of emergencies, Bob Kitchen. “We echo the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ demand for an immediate and thorough independent investigation into these incidents.”

Even before October 7, almost 80% of Gaza’s population relied on some type of humanitarian assistance. After the destruction of key infrastructure and mass displacement, 3.3 million people across Gaza and the West Bank now require humanitarian assistance.

Many will experience protracted displacement, given that over 60% of Gaza’s housing has reportedly been damaged or destroyed, reinforcing the importance of the rights of Palestinians—most of whom are already refugees—to return to their homes.

Children will lose years of education. Gaza’s 625,000 school-aged children have lost access to education, with the majority of schools being used as shelters and almost 90% of schools damaged or destroyed.

A new acronym, WCNSF—wounded child, no surviving family—has been coined by responders and medical staff due to the number of children who have now lost their entire families. More than 1,000 children have lost either one of both their legs according to UNICEF, all of whom will now require lifelong support.

Children continue to be cut off from psychosocial support. Before the recent increase in hostilities, over one million children in Gaza needed mental health and psychosocial support. Currently, every child has experienced profoundly distressing events and trauma, characterized by extensive destruction and displacement. At the same time, parents and caregivers are facing severe psychological stress.

The IRC, in partnership with Anera, is actively working to provide essential mental health and psychosocial support to children affected by the crisis in schools being used as shelters in the Rafah, Khan Younis and Deir Al Balah governorates in Gaza. In addition, the IRC and Nafs have partnered to establish a Mobile Community Center that will enhance the access of marginalized people, mainly children, to their residential areas and provide them with Mental Health and Psychosocial services in the West Bank and Gaza strip. This project aims to provide vital support by offering training, awareness sessions and recreational activities to help nurture the mental well-being of as many violence and war-affected children as possible.

         “O Allah, help and protect the people of Palestine. O Allah, ease their pain and suffering. O Allah help those who are in need. O Allah, fortify their hearts and calm them like you granted Yusuf’s heart peace in the well. O Allah, Bestower of Mercy, bestow Your mercy on them. O Allah, You are the Giver of victory, O Al-Fattah, You are the Opener of doors, please grant them freedom and victory.”

Let us remember the people of Palestine in our duas.

“We ask You – by virtue of bearing witness that You are Allah, there is no God worthy of worship but You, the One, the Self-Sufficient, Who begets not, nor was He begotten, and there is none who is comparable to Him. – [we ask You] to grant victory to Islam and the Muslims everywhere. O Allah! Grant victory to Islam and the Muslims everywhere. O Allah! Grant victory to Islam and the Muslims everywhere.”