Children in Gaza have shared their experiences and aspirations through a series of poignant drawings released by Save the Children on World Mental Health Day. These artworks reflect the harsh realities of life in a war-torn region, as well as the dreams that persist amidst adversity.
The illustrations, created by participants in Save the Children’s psychosocial support program, highlight the impact of two years of ongoing conflict. These child-friendly spaces provide safe environments for children to play and cope with the trauma of witnessing destruction in their communities. The drawings vividly depict scenes of devastation, including missiles striking homes, warplanes over playgrounds, and the struggles of displacement.
One drawing features a child sitting among rubble, dreaming of graduation and a future as a doctor. Others envision lives filled with travel, career success, and normalcy—a stark contrast to their current circumstances, portrayed with images of abundance, safety, and nature.
As the conflict in Gaza approaches its third year, the situation for children has become increasingly dire. Reports indicate that over 20,000 children have been killed in this ongoing war, averaging more than one child per hour since October 2023.
In addition to the immediate dangers, a humanitarian crisis looms. Famine was officially declared in Gaza City in August 2025, with estimates suggesting that 132,000 children under the age of five are at risk of death due to acute malnutrition.
Before the escalation of violence in October 2023, mental health issues among children in Gaza had already reached critical levels. Factors contributing to this crisis include years of blockade, economic collapse, and separation from loved ones.
“These drawings represent children’s lived experiences in Gaza, portraying both their aspirations and their daily realities,” stated Ahmad Alhendawi, Regional Director for Save the Children in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe. “They show what children in Gaza wish for—things all children have the right to, but which these children are denied: plates of food, an education, safety, and a future.”
The ongoing conflict continues to shape the lives of these children, who express both a yearning for their dreams and a stark remembrance of their current reality.
Tags: children’s drawings, Gaza conflict, war impact, future aspirations, art therapy
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