‘Marathon’ shines light on Gaza’s orphaned children and humanitarian crisis

Published 1 August 2026 · world

More than 58,000 children have lost one or both parents by Israel’s war, highlighting urgent humanitarian challenges. Khan Younis, Gaza Strip – As soon as

More than 58,000 children have lost one or both parents by Israel’s war, highlighting urgent humanitarian challenges. Khan Younis, Gaza Strip – As soon as the whistle blew, they all dashed off – and for a brief moment, nobody focused on the destruction surrounding them. Cheered on by relatives and friends, dozens of young boys and girls on Friday took part in a race aimed at highlighting the struggles of children who have lost one or both parents during Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. “I miss my father every day. He used to take care of everything for us,” said 13-year-old Saif Hijazi, whose father, Rami Hijazi, was killed in an Israeli attack that hit the family home in northern Gaza in January 2024. Unlike the other children, Saif was not able to join in the running. Paralysed since January 2025, when Israeli artillery shelling hit near his displaced family’s tent, he watched from his wheelchair as his younger siblings ran alongside other orphaned children. “Since I was injured, I can’t walk or move on my own anymore,” he said, speaking slowly. “I just want my life to get better.” ‘Most affected’ Since October 2023, Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed more than 73,000 people, according to health officials in the territory. The United Nations children agency, or UNICEF, says more than 58,000 children in Gaza have lost one or both parents, while more than one million children require protection and psychosocial support due to the impact of the ongoing war. UNICEF has also previously estimated that about 17,000 children were unaccompanied or separated from their families, creating one of the largest child protection crises facing children in Gaza.

Many of these children are living through repeated displacement, loss of income and limited access to essential services, including healthcare, education and protection. In an effort to raise awareness about the plight of orphaned children in Gaza and encourage support for families caring for them, International Networking for Humanitarian (INH) Indonesia organised Friday’s running event in the southern city of Khan Younis. Dubbed a “marathon”, the race brought together orphaned children from across Gaza, giving them a space to participate in a public activity and feel supported by their community. “Orphans are always among the most affected groups in wars,” said Mohammed Yassin, project coordinator at INH Indonesia. “No matter how much effort we make as an organisation, we cannot reach all of them,” he added. “Through these activities, we try to remind the world and encourage people to support them and provide sponsorship that can help them in their daily lives.” Yassin said families in Gaza that still have a provider “are already struggling” to secure the minimum necessities because of the loss of purchasing power and the challenging daily conditions amid a worsening humanitarian crisis. “But when a family loses its main provider, the suffering becomes much greater in securing basic needs such as water and food,” he added. ‘No choice’ It is a reality that Saif’s mother, Warda Hijazi, knows all too well. Since her husband’s killing, the 33-year-old has been facing a daily battle: caring for Saif, who also suffers from kidney paralysis, at “every moment”, while also trying to meet the needs of his younger siblings, nine-year-old Sarah and 10-year-old Ammar.