A Palestinian student walks between piles of rubble after attending a class in a tent in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. (credit: REUTERS)
Gaza children face “lost generation” after years of war: Report
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- Cambridge University report warns of a “lost generation” in Gaza after over two years of 'Israeli' aggression.
- Children face severe educational, physical, and psychological impacts, including school loss, injuries, and trauma.
A new international report by Cambridge University warns of a “lost generation” of children in Gaza, resulting from the cumulative educational, physical, and psychological effects of over two years of 'Israeli' aggression.
The study, released in early 2026, highlights the scale of the crisis: as of October 1, 2025, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported 18,069 students and 780 education workers killed, and 26,391 students and 3,211 teachers injured in Gaza.
Massive educational disruption
The report notes that children in Gaza are expected to lose the equivalent of five years of schooling due to repeated school closures since 2020, first from the COVID-19 pandemic and later from 'Israeli' military assaults.
Education is emphasized not only as a right but as a critical factor in maintaining children’s mental health, linking access to learning with the ability to cope with trauma and maintain a sense of stability.
Health and psychological impact
The study underscores the interconnectedness of malnutrition, psychological distress, and educational disruption. It warns that the destruction of Gaza’s health and education systems represents a new form of warfare, targeting the future of children by undermining both physical well-being and educational opportunities.
Researchers stress that the report is not a scientific manuscript, but an analytical review intended to inform policymakers, international agencies, and the global public about the cumulative and devastating impact of the conflict on Gaza’s youngest residents.
Humanitarian crisis
The findings describe a sharp deterioration in living conditions, marked by:
- Ongoing violence
- Food insecurity
- Collapse of essential services
- Near-total disruption of the education system
- Severe psychological and social effects on children
The report highlights that the scale of destruction in Gaza far exceeds that observed in other recent wars, such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. It points to widespread damage to educational and health infrastructure, and intensive urban bombardment, with impacts reaching beyond typical wartime projections.
Cambridge University warns that without urgent international intervention, Gaza’s children risk a generation lost to trauma, malnutrition, and educational deprivation, with long-term consequences for the region’s stability and human development.
