Children make up nearly half of Gaza’s population. Here’s what it means for the war

Nearly half of Gaza’s population are children, presenting a complex and grim reality for the region amid its current conflict.

Demographics in Gaza: The Gaza Strip, one of the most densely populated places in the world, is home to approximately 2.2 million people, 47.3% of whom are under 18.
* The area is predominantly Muslim, with a small native Palestinian Christian population. Two-thirds of the Palestinians residing in Gaza are refugees or descendants from the 1948 war.

Impact of Conflict: The ongoing conflict claimed the lives of approximately 3,470 people since early October, around 1,200 of them being children according to Defense for Children International — Palestine.
* Fidaa Al-Araj’s story humanizes the toll, noting how she had to evacuate her home after a warning of imminent bombing, fleeing with her five children who had already experienced previous conflicts.

Explaining youth majority: Many factors contribute to the large young demographic, including Palestinians dying young due to conflicts and a struggling healthcare system.
* Early marriages in the population, high fertility rates, and challenges in obtaining medical care due to a longstanding blockade are key contributing factors.

Education and culture: Despite these challenges, education remains an integral part of Gazan culture.
* Over 95% of children aged 6-12 attend school, and most graduate high school. At the Islamic University of Gaza, females make up 57% of the student population.

Looking to the future: The toll of conflict on the young population doesn’t bode well for the future, with numerous reports citing high levels of conflict-related trauma and emotional distress among Gazan children.
* Despite the grim outlook, some, like Maha Nassar from the University of Arizona, believe in the resilience of these children and the importance of providing support mechanisms to aid in their healing.

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