Mr. Tito
Gaza entertainer ‘Mr. Tito’ visits children injured by 'Israeli' strikes
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- A circus performer since childhood, Salem has adapted his work to support children affected by the ‘Israeli’ assault, displacement and the destruction of their homes.
- Salem has faced hardship himself, including the loss of his family home and difficulties securing food for his younger sisters.
In Gaza, where childhood has been shaped by bombardment, displacement and the loss of loved ones, Mohammed Salem puts on a red nose, colorful clothes and a clown’s smile to bring moments of relief to children whose lives have been upended by war.
Known to children as Uncle Tito, Salem is a young Palestinian entertainer who visits sick and injured children, using games, performances and humor to offer a brief respite from the realities of the ‘Israeli’ assault on the Gaza Strip.
Salem trained in circus arts at the Gaza Circus School, beginning at the age of 12. By the time he was 18, his work had taken on a role far removed from the one he had initially imagined: bringing moments of happiness to children growing up amid destruction and uncertainty.
In northern Gaza, where he has worked among displaced families sheltering in schools and other centers, Salem has used simple tricks, bicycle performances, games and small gifts to engage children. With formal education disrupted, he has also incorporated basic learning into his activities.
But the circumstances surrounding his work are difficult to separate from the performances themselves. Salem has spoken about struggling to find food for his younger sisters, losing his family home to ‘Israeli' bombing and living alongside other displaced people. His family has also experienced the violence directly, including injuries sustained before their home was destroyed.
The children he visits face a similar uncertainty, with many having lost relatives, homes and access to essential services. Even when the immediate danger recedes, the psychological consequences of war remain.
A childhood marked by loss
The scale of the harm inflicted on children in Gaza is reflected in figures published by UNICEF and international investigators.
As of June 30, 2026, at least 21,700 Palestinian children had been reported killed by ‘Israel’ in Gaza since the escalation of the conflict in October 2023, while 45,000 had been reported injured, according to UNICEF. More than 11,000 of the injured children had sustained life-altering injuries.
The toll has continued despite the ceasefire announced in October 2025. More than 340 children had been reported killed and hundreds more injured since the ceasefire, UNICEF said on Oct. 16, 2026. The agency also reported that approximately 800,000 children remained displaced, many living in tents or damaged buildings.
Beyond deaths and physical injuries, the assault has left deep psychological scars. Children have endured repeated displacement, separation from relatives, disrupted education and prolonged exposure to violence, while shortages of food, clean water and medical care have compounded their suffering.
A June 2026 report by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry documented extensive harm to Palestinian children, including deaths and injuries, mistreatment, attacks affecting schools and healthcare facilities, and the longer-term consequences of the destruction of essential services.
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