Gaza Children Run Marathon to Spotlight Orphan Crisis
As soon as the whistle blew, dozens of young boys and girls dashed off in Khan Younis on Friday, temporarily escaping the surrounding destruction to participate in a special race. According to reports from the Gaza Strip, the event was organized to highlight the immense struggles of children who have lost one or both parents during the ongoing conflict.
Based on reports from the United Nations children agency, UNICEF, more than 58,000 children in Gaza have lost their parents since October 2023. Furthermore, over one million children currently require urgent protection and psychosocial support due to the devastating impact of the prolonged military hostilities.
The humanitarian situation has created about 17,000 unaccompanied or separated children, marking one of the worst child protection emergencies in the region. These vulnerable youngsters face repeated displacement, severe loss of family income, and restricted access to essential healthcare and educational services.
International Networking for Humanitarian Indonesia organized the running event to raise awareness and encourage public support. Mohammed Yassin, a project coordinator for the organization, stated that orphans remain among the most heavily impacted groups during times of war.
Families Struggle Alone Under Extreme Pressures
Citing reports from local mothers, surviving family providers face immense daily hardships just to secure basic necessities like food and clean water. When a family loses its main provider, securing these vital survival items becomes an extraordinarily difficult challenge.
Warda Hijazi, a 33-year-old mother from central Gaza, shared her daily battle of caring for her children and her paralyzed son Saif. Her husband Rami Hijazi was killed in January 2024, leaving her entirely responsible for the family's survival and emotional needs.
Saif watched his siblings run from his wheelchair after being paralyzed by artillery shelling in January 2025. Warda noted that the heavy responsibilities often feel unbearable, but she has no choice except to continue pushing forward for her family.
Samah Abu Amra, another displaced widow from Rafah, expressed similar despair regarding her struggle to raise five children alone. She emphasized that children need comprehensive psychological, financial, and emotional support rather than just temporary assistance.
Call for International Action and Community Support
Organizers and advocates are urging global humanrights bodies and international organizations to prioritize assistance for these vulnerable children. Mohammed Yassin emphasized that organizations alone cannot reach every affected family, highlighting the urgent need for widespread sponsorships.
At the conclusion of the running event, organizers proudly distributed medals to the participating children to bring joy and a sense of community belonging. In a touching tribute to his resilience, Saif Hijazi was the first person called to receive his special medal.
Warda Hijazi watched proudly as her son received recognition, noting that children who have lost so much still deserve hope and community visibility. She stressed that these youngsters need to feel that they are still valued members of the world.
As the humanitarian crisis persists, local families continue to appeal for long-term solutions and robust international intervention. Community advocates maintain that protecting these children requires sustained attention, emotional backing, and reliable financial resources.
