Occupied Palestinian Territory

The occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)—comprising the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem—has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, with Gaza enduring a 17-year blockade. The impact on children and youth is profound, as they face violence, harassment, and discrimination inherent to Israel’s military occupation. In Gaza, children are further threatened by the destruction of basic infrastructure, a lack of access to essential services, and the ongoing war. Over 2.3 million people in Gaza—including 1.1 million children—are in urgent need, and the mental health crisis is growing rapidly across both Gaza and the West Bank.

The War Child Alliance has been working in oPt since 2006, and despite the challenges posed by the ongoing war, we are scaling up our response to protect children and address their urgent needs. In 2023, War Child reached nearly 120,000 children and adults. By mid-2024, we have already supported over 161,000 people. In 2024, we have already reached 161,877 people across the oPt, with a specific focus on children and youth who are the most vulnerable to the ongoing conflict. Through targeted interventions, we are addressing the immediate needs of Palestinian children and supporting their long-term well-being despite the harsh realities of occupation. Our efforts include: Supporting children in Israeli detention, child protection and case management, and mental health and psychosocial support.