Gaza war leaves over 58,000 children orphaned, raising humanitarian concerns

More than 58,000 children have been recorded as having lost one or both parents since the outbreak of the Israel‑Hamas conflict in October 2023, according to a joint assessment by United Nations agencies and local NGOs. The figure, which includes children in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, reflects a sharp rise in orphanhood compared with pre‑conflict levels and underscores the scale of civilian suffering caused by the hostilities.

Humanitarian organizations say the sudden loss of parental care is compounding existing crises, with many orphaned children facing displacement, lack of access to education, and heightened risk of exploitation. Aid groups are mobilising emergency shelter, psychosocial support and temporary foster arrangements, while urging donor governments to increase funding for child‑focused programmes. The unprecedented number of affected minors highlights the urgent need for coordinated international assistance to mitigate long‑term social and economic impacts.