The ongoing conflict in Gaza has exacted an unimaginable toll on its youngest inhabitants, with an estimated 20,000 children killed since October 2023, a figure that represents approximately two percent of Gaza's child population.^[1] As the war enters its third year, thousands more children have been orphaned, grappling with profound loss, displacement, and a pervasive sense of fear, as CBS News has reported from the ravaged strip.^[2][3][4] The humanitarian crisis has left an entire generation scarred, facing not only physical injuries and malnutrition but also deep psychological trauma that may endure for a lifetime.^[5][3][6] ### A Staggering Death Toll and Unprecedented Orphan Crisis The statistics paint a grim picture of the conflict's disproportionate impact on children. Save the Children, citing data from the Hamas-run Gaza Government Media Office, reported in September 2025 that one child has been killed every hour on average, a rate equivalent to "a classroom of children" per day.^[3][1] Beyond the fatalities, UNICEF estimated in August 2025 that over 50,000 children have been killed or injured.^[5] The number of orphaned children has surged dramatically, with Gaza-based social development authorities estimating around 50,000 children have lost one or both parents since October 2023.^[2] Umma Relief further indicates that more than 39,000 children have been orphaned during this period.^[7][8] The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimates approximately 17,000 children are now unaccompanied or separated from their caregivers.^[9][7] A stark illustration of this crisis is the emergence of the term "WCNSF" (Wounded Child, No Surviving Family), describing the 17,000 confirmed cases of children arriving at hospitals alone by March 2024.^[7] * **20,000+ children killed:** Since October 2023, at least 20,000 children have died in the Gaza war.^[1] * **50,000+ children orphaned:** An estimated 50,000 children have lost one or both parents.^[2] * **17,000 unaccompanied children:** UNICEF reports roughly 17,000 children are without parental care.^[9][7] * **"A classroom of children" per day:** This grim metric highlights the relentless pace of child fatalities.^[3] The emotional toll is profound. CBS News met with orphaned children who articulated their constant state of fear.^[3] Twelve-year-old Gazal Basam, at an orphan camp, shared her deep pain after losing her father, stating, "I want to live like I did before the war, but I know life will never be the same again."^[3] Another child expressed, "Whenever we heard the sound of missiles my father would hold us, but now he's gone, and we are always scared."^[3] ### A Catastrophic Health and Humanitarian Landscape The war has decimated Gaza's infrastructure, leading to a catastrophic health and humanitarian crisis that disproportionately affects children. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in October 2025 that nearly 42,000 people have sustained life-changing injuries, with over 10,000 of them being children.^[6] More than 5,000 individuals have undergone amputations, contributing to Gaza having the highest number of amputated children per capita globally.^[10][6] Malnutrition has reached critical levels, with famine officially declared in parts of Gaza in August 2025.^[4][11] UNICEF reported that 151 children have died from acute malnutrition since the conflict began, with the majority of these deaths occurring in 2025.^[12] Over 320,000 children under the age of five are at high risk of acute malnutrition, and in July 2025 alone, 13,644 children were identified as acutely malnourished.^[12] The collapse of water, sanitation, and hygiene services has led to widespread infectious diseases, further endangering children, particularly those already weakened by malnutrition.^[5][13] Beyond physical ailments, the mental health crisis among children is alarming. UNICEF states that one million children in Gaza, virtually every child, are in need of mental health support.^[5] Children are exhibiting severe psychological trauma, including recurring anxiety, sleep disorders, and profound emotional distress due to witnessing extreme violence and loss.^[5][2][14] ### Education in Ruins and Persistent Displacement The war has also shattered the educational prospects for Gaza's children. Most children have not attended school in two years, as 91.8% of schools have been severely damaged or completely destroyed.^[15] The remaining educational facilities often serve as shelters for displaced families, making a return to normal schooling impossible.^[15] The vast majority of Gaza's population, including nearly all children, have been displaced multiple times, seeking refuge in overcrowded and often unsafe temporary shelters.^[5][4] This constant displacement, coupled with dire living conditions, exacerbates their vulnerability to disease, hunger, and further trauma.^[2] Restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid and the inability of aid workers to safely access all communities have severely hampered relief efforts, leaving millions acutely food insecure.^[9] From March to May 2025, a total blockade on supplies further deepened the crisis.^[4] As the conflict continues, the international community faces urgent calls to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, protect civilians, and work towards a lasting peace that addresses the fundamental needs and rights of Gaza's children, who continue to endure unimaginable horrors.^[12][16]