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Despite the restrictions that had long stifled Gaza prior to October 7, 2023, it was a remarkably young society, shaped by high fertility rates and a culture in which raising children and building close-knit families were at the heart of life. Nearly half of Gaza’s population was children under the age of 18, who had been denied the chance to witness a normal, peaceful life.

Since the genocide began, Gaza has witnessed one of the deadliest assaults in modern history. Israeli forces have killed, injured, detained, tortured, and starved children, depriving them of their basic rights to education, adequate health care, and a safe childhood, as the United Nations’ Independent Commission of Inquiry has documented. Over the last nearly 3 years, children have accounted for nearly 30 percent of Gaza’s death toll, amounting to at least 21,000 victims. More than 44,000 have been injured, many with potentially life-changing injuries. Another 17,000 children have been left grieving the loss of their parents.

The UN Commission also found that Israeli atrocities amounted to genocide, crimes against humanity, and grave violations of international law. Yet, since the so-called ceasefire took effect, the bombs may have slowed, but they never stopped. More than 300 children have been killed since October 10, 2025.

As the Commission has stated, “the essence of childhood has been destroyed” by Israel. But the human cost extends beyond the staggering numbers of deaths: It includes the suffering of the children who have survived. They are being forced out of childhood, bearing burdens far beyond their age, and working to keep their destitute families afloat.

Ahmed Al-Nabahin, a 14-year-old child who should be in secondary school rather than shouldering the responsibilities of a breadwinner, is working as a wood and rubbish collector as a matter of survival.

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“I was forced to drop out of school in order to keep my family of six afloat, as living expenses were skyrocketing,” Ahmed told Truthout.

Sweat streaming down his face, he told me that he usually kicks off work at 6 a.m. and returns at 9 p.m. “Exhaustion does little to convey what I feel at the end of the day, all for 25 shekels [almost $5 USD] in compensation,” he said.

Given Gaza’s depressed economy, no job lasts long, forcing Ahmed to shift between multiple hazardous jobs. He vividly recalled a moment when Israeli forces nearly took his life during a shift:........

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