About this report

Aim: this report aims to provide a holistic analysis of the impact of the conflict in the Gaza Strip on children, with consideration of immediate and long-term needs.

Scope: children’s situation in the Gaza Strip was already dire before 7 October because of an Israeli-imposed blockade and other structural challenges (OCHA 25/01/2023). This report does not provide in-depth detail of the baseline situation, since the current level of hostilities and impacts are unprecedented and not comparable to the situation prior to 7 October. The report predominantly focuses on the impacts of the violence that has taken place in the strip since 7 October, particularly on children.

Methodology: the report is based on a secondary data review of public and non-public sources, supplemented with six key informant interviews with relevant stakeholders to the situation in Gaza, including operational responders and organisations specialised in certain population groups with specific needs.

Limitations: there is limited granular data on the current situation in Gaza, particularly disaggregated by age, gender, and disability. The military siege and insecurity are hindering humanitarian responders’ access to the strip, constraining the response and the information landscape. As a result, there is a lack of information on specific population groups, such as children. Since 11 October, the Gaza Strip has been under an electricity and internet blackout, which, combined with insecurity-related access constraints, has resulted in data-gathering disruptions, limiting and delaying information (OCHA 26/12/2023)