Gaza Children Run ‘Marathon’ to Highlight Growing Orphan Crisis
A marathon run by dozens of young boys and girls on Friday highlighted the struggles faced by orphans in Gaza, a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians. The event, organized by International Networking for Humanitarian (INH) Indonesia, aimed to raise awareness about the plight of orphaned children in the territory.
The marathon saw hundreds of participants from across Gaza, many of whom have lost one or both parents during the ongoing conflict. According to health officials, more than 73,000 people have been killed since October 2023, with over 58,000 children in Gaza having lost a parent. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that around 17,000 children were unaccompanied or separated from their families.
The challenges faced by these children are numerous and severe. Many live through repeated displacement, loss of income, limited access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and protection. In an effort to provide support for families caring for orphaned children, INH Indonesia organized the marathon in Khan Younis, a southern city in Gaza.
The project coordinator at INH Indonesia emphasized that orphans are among the most affected groups during wars. “Orphans are always among the most affected groups in wars,” he said. “No matter how much effort we make as an organization, we cannot reach all of them.”
Warda Hijazi, whose 13-year-old son Saif was paralyzed since January 2025 due to Israeli artillery shelling near his family’s tent, is a prime example of the challenges faced by families in Gaza. Despite her own struggles with caring for her children and managing their daily needs, Warda remains solely responsible for ensuring they have food, medicine, and emotional support.
“Everything has become my responsibility,” she said. “Their food, their medicine, raising them, and trying to make up for the love and care they lost.” The psychological toll of these challenges is also evident in the story of Samah Abu Amra, a 43-year-old mother of five children who became the sole caregiver after her husband was killed during an Israeli attack.
“I cannot provide everything they need,” she said. “Children need psychological, financial and emotional support. They need food, clothes, education and even time for recreation. These are many responsibilities for one mother to carry alone.” Abu Amra’s experience highlights the dire need for greater support and resources for families in Gaza who have been displaced or orphaned.
The marathon run by INH Indonesia is a reminder of the urgent need for action to address the humanitarian crisis facing Gaza. As Saif Hijazi, 13-year-old wheelchair user, put it, “I miss my father every day. He used to take care of everything for us.” The story of these young children and their families serves as a stark reminder that no child should have to go through such unimaginable hardships.
Source: Al Jazeera
Based on reporting from Al Jazeera.
