More than two years of conflict have pushed Palestinian children in Gaza to an extreme state of physical depletion and emotional distress, leaving many unable to learn or even play. A new report, highlighted by ScienceDaily.com, warns that these children are now “like the living dead,” their childhoods shattered by the ongoing war.
The study, led by the University of Cambridge’s REAL Centre, reveals a near-total collapse of the education system in Gaza. Violence, severe food shortages, and profound psychological trauma have stripped away any semblance of a normal life for these young individuals.
Researchers documented children fainting from exhaustion and being advised against playing to conserve energy. The dire situation has forced families to prioritize survival over schooling, with many subsisting on as little as a bowl of lentils daily, highlighting the critical state of Gaza’s children on the brink.
The shattering of childhood and education
The report provides an in-depth look at how the conflict has transformed children’s lives, documenting a school system largely in ruins. It follows a similar study from 2024, demonstrating a rapid deterioration in conditions.
Before the recent ceasefire, parents and teachers faced an impossible choice between ensuring their children’s survival and providing education. This ongoing struggle underscores the immense pressure on families in the region.
Professor Pauline Rose, Director of the REAL Centre at the University of Cambridge, emphasized the worsening situation. “A year ago we said education was under attack – now children’s lives are on the brink of a complete breakdown,” she stated, urging immediate action.
The human toll is staggering. As of October 1, 2025, the UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported 18,069 students and 780 education staff killed in Gaza. Additionally, 26,391 students and 3,211 teachers were injured.
These figures underscore the devastating impact on the educational infrastructure and the community supporting it. Save the Children estimates that during the fighting, 15 children sustained life-altering injuries every day, painting a grim picture of daily life.
Lost hope and a generation at risk
One of the most alarming findings is the damage to young people’s sense of hope and trust in the international community. Children are reportedly becoming increasingly angry, losing faith in fundamental principles like peace and human rights.
“Students are asking about the reality of those rights. They feel they are killed just for being Gazans,” an international organization staff member told researchers. This sentiment reflects a deep despair among the youth.
Teachers interviewed for the report described profound despair among families, with some parents questioning the value of education when facing famine. Focus group discussions revealed children were “afraid of everything,” contributing to the feeling of being “like the living dead.”
The research, conducted in partnership with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), warns of a serious risk of a “lost generation” in Gaza. This risk stems from the combined educational, physical, and psychological toll of the war.
Repeated school closures since 2020, first due to COVID-19 and then the war, have cost children in Gaza the equivalent of five years of education. While temporary learning programs were introduced, their effectiveness has been severely limited by ongoing violence and resource shortages.
The despair expressed by young people must be taken seriously, Professor Rose urged. The international community cannot wait to provide more support. The future of a generation depends on urgent and sustained intervention.
