The OKB alarm: 1 million children in Gaza are struggling with depression and anxiety!

At least 1 million children in Gaza urgently need mental health care and psycho-social support for depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, said the head of UN aid on Thursday.

“Ceasefire has provided vital relief from the relentless hostilities for Palestinians,” said Tom Fletcher during a UN Security Council session on the difficult situation of children in Gaza.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining the ceasefire by all parties, adding that safe, unimpeded humanitarian access, along with the absence of hostilities and the near-total halt of criminal looting in recent days, have significantly improved our ability to operate.

Describing the severe impact of the conflict, Fletcher said: “Children have been killed, starved, and frozen to death. They have been maimed, orphaned, or separated from their families. Conservative estimates show that over 17,000 children are without their families in Gaza.”

Noting that around 150,000 pregnant women and new mothers are desperately in need of healthcare services, he said some babies in Gaza died before taking their first breath—disappearing with their mothers in childbirth due to Israel’s relentless attacks.

“One million children need mental health and psycho-social support for depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts,” he said, quoting UNICEF.

Fletcher called on the international community to act.

“Across the spectrum, humanitarian organizations and agencies have united to meet our humanitarian goals. At the center of this, as always, is UNRWA. But we cannot do this alone,” he said.

He further emphasized that “large volumes of aid” are needed to enter Gaza, and stated that the 2025 UN appeal seeks $4.07 billion to address the needs of 3 million people in Gaza and the West Bank, with most of it designated for Gaza.

“Funding this appeal is critical to meet the massive needs and support the ceasefire,” added Fletcher.

Fletcher also reported “record levels of casualties, displacement, and entry restrictions” in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

“These trends have intensified since the declaration of the ceasefire. Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinian villages, setting fire to homes and properties,” he said.

Noting an increase in barriers to Palestinians’ access to basic needs from Israel, he also said that “mass arrests are happening across the West Bank.”

“Of particular concern is the situation in Jenin, where an Israeli military operation—helicopter gunfire and airstrikes along with ground forces—has taken lives and caused further destruction of basic infrastructure and displacement,” he said.

Fletcher urged the council to “ensure that international law is respected throughout the occupied Palestinian territory of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.”

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