Gaza’s unrelenting war has pushed countless children into roles far beyond their age, turning them into providers instead of students and leaving them without the innocence of childhood.
Walking through the streets of Gaza City with thermoses in hand, young Mohammed Ashour calls out to strangers, hoping to sell a cup of his coffee.
At just 15, Mohammed should be in a classroom, laughing with schoolmates, but after his father was killed in Israel’s devastating assault on Gaza, he had no choice but to quit school and become the family’s breadwinner.
“This weight shouldn’t be on my shoulders,” he tells Al Jazeera.“Carrying thermoses, cups, going up and down … it’s overwhelming. I’m exhausted, but I must support my siblings.”
Mohammed is one of many Gaza children forced into labour by the war’s destruction.
With more than 39,000 children having lost one or both parents, and Gaza’s economy in ruins, kids as young as eight are working simply to help their families survive, sacrificing their education and their childhoods.
Mohammed’s mother, Atad, knows her son belongs in school, but says they have no other option.“After his father died, we had no income at all,” she said.
She explained that her older sons could not find work, and she herself had no means to provide.
“He’s still a child, but he’s carrying a burden that isn’t his,” she added. “Circumstances forced this on us.”
Children Carry the Heaviest BurdenHumanitarian groups in Gaza say youngsters are suffering the most, taking on roles usually reserved for adults.
“We’re seeing more children scavenging through trash, collecting scraps to sell, or walking around selling coffee,” said UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram.
UNICEF and its partners are trying to reduce these desperate measures by supporting families with cash assistance, raising awareness on the dangers of child labour, and helping parents find work.
Rachel Cummings, Gaza humanitarian director for Save the Children, said the war has shattered family structures, leaving many children responsible for caring for siblings or elderly relatives.
“The entire family system in Gaza has collapsed, and children are extremely vulnerable,” she said. “This fragile situation is taking a heavy toll.”
Schools Empty, Futures Uncertain
Nearly half of Gaza’s population is under 18, and the figures show the severe impact of the war.
More than 660,000 children are out of school, and around 132,000 face the danger of acute malnutrition, according to Save the Children.
Reporting from Gaza City, Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary noted that the loss of parents, especially breadwinners has forced children to do work “they were never meant to do.”
“They should be in school, playing with friends,” she said. “The impact of the war on Palestinian children is immense.”
As Mohammed heads home after a long day of work, he passes a school and feels the sting of what he has lost.“If my father were alive, you would see me going to school,” he says quietly.
