In the heart of the Dheisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem, the innocence of childhood clashes starkly with the harsh realities of military occupation. Three young voices, each carrying unique stories of fear and resilience, reveal the profound challenges faced by Palestinian children. They navigate the complexities of life under constant threat, a narrative that not only reflects their personal experiences but also encapsulates the broader plight of young individuals under difficult circumstances in conflict zones.
Bethlehem, occupied West Bank – In the narrow alleyways of the Dheisheh refugee camp, three children debate which of their encounters with the Israeli military is worth telling, and who gets to tell it. Yanal, 14, wins the opening round on language skills alone. He speaks three languages: Arabic, English, and Spanish, and insists on telling his story in English. “Life in the camp is complex,” he says, expressing the palpable tension that permeates their lives, as there is nowhere to run when the army comes. Yanal keeps returning to one memory: a football match interrupted by soldiers entering the field, leaving no way out.
Mustafa Abu Aliyah, 13, counters with a harrowing tale of a raid he witnessed on his way to his grandfather’s house, where the sound of live rounds and tear gas filled the air. “We were in the middle of the fire,” he recalls, though the memories blur with time. His sister Diyar, 12, shares her own traumatic encounter, recounting the chaos that invaded her piano lesson the last time soldiers came through. “Whenever the army comes, there will be tear gas,” she notes solemnly. “People will be beaten. There’s usually someone injured or killed.” Despite her awareness of children in other countries living in safety, Diyar is rooted in the fear that envelops her neighborhood, revealing how violence has robbed them of what many take for granted.
The frequency of such confrontations has left an indelible mark on their childhoods, as Israeli forces executed nearly 7,500 raids across the occupied West Bank in the first nine months of 2025 alone—an alarming statistic reflecting a 37 percent increase from the previous year. This grim reality mirrors a wider pattern of distress experienced by Palestinian children under occupation, as detailed in a recently released report by the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Titled “The essence of childhood has been destroyed,” the report tragically highlights that Israeli forces have killed at least 20,179 Palestinian children and wounded over 44,000 across the occupied territory, primarily in Gaza. It denounces systematic violence against children, revealing that armed soldiers and settlers have created a climate where terror has become a part of everyday life. The report breaks down instances of killings, mass detentions, and violence against schools and hospitals, emphasizing the need for a profound reassessment of conditions affecting these young lives.
The UN commission delineates that an environment of “diffused, ambient terror” can perpetuate trauma, a constant threat more damaging than isolated incidents of violence. Lemis Farraj, a psychologist working in Dheisheh, notes the perpetual state of stress children endure. Unlike Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which often stems from a singular event, the ongoing instability marked by repeated military operations inflicts a continuous psychological toll on the youth of the region. Diyar describes the loss of agency that accompanies each raid: “Our life stops,” she laments, underscoring the ongoing impact on their daily experiences.
As the cycle of violence and trauma continues, young children, including five-year-old Khour Hammad, grapple with their harsh realities. She tells of her parents’ arrests, recalling the night soldiers stormed her house. Presenting an old photo of her family, Khour’s bright smile momentarily breaks the shadows of despair as she recognizes her mother and father, longing for the reunion that remains out of reach.
Farraj emphasizes the generational nature of this trauma, passing from one generation of Palestinians to the next, ensuring that the legacy of grief and loss remains deeply ingrained within the community. The UN report notes that refugees are now in their fifth generation, sustaining memories of “dispossession from the Nakba” alongside the ongoing tribulations of occupation. They remain in dire need of stability, support, and hope for a future free from violence.
For young Khour, such stability begins with her family. “I want the whole world to listen and see my picture,” she says with innocent determination. “And get my mom and dad out of prison.” The voices of these children remind us of the urgent need for global attention toward the plight of those living under occupation, illuminating the hope for a more peaceful future.
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