Legal Scene
February 27, 2026Lost one or both parents
Palestinian children
Almost 40,000 Palestinian children in Gaza have lost one or both parents, making it the largest orphan crisis in modern history , creating what UNICEF has described as the largest orphan crisis in modern history.
Many of these children are living with severe psychological trauma amid widespread destruction, displacement, and the collapse of basic services, with humanitarian agencies warning that support systems are overwhelmed, especially as Israel continues to block access to aid and deny petitions for children to travel for overseas medical care. Local field reports highlight that some Palestinian children now rely on elderly relatives, while others have been forced to assume responsibility for younger siblings after losing both parents. Aid officials estimate that more than 3,000 Palestinian children have been left completely orphaned in Gaza, with many families struggling to meet their emotional and financial needs as resources fall far short of demand. The crisis is unfolding alongside the near collapse of Gaza’s education system. UNRWA reports that about 94 percent of schools have been damaged or destroyed, with limited learning continuing in tents and temporary spaces. Humanitarian agencies warn that without sustained support, a generation of children faces growing up amid loss and instability that will have implications for generations to come.
