In Gaza, a million children are living through the devastating impacts of war. Ten-year-old Siraj Mohamed is one of them. He has lost the fundamental assurances of childhood, such as safety and security. The war has forced him and his family to abandon their home in Jabalia and seek refuge in a makeshift camp near the beach in central Gaza.

Siraj's life is now filled with fear and uncertainty. He recalls a terrifying night when a quadcopter, resembling a recreational drone, followed him as he went to the bathroom. These drones can carry weapons, and there have been reports of them targeting children. "I stood still, I looked at the ground, I saw the red and blue lights," Siraj said. "Then I held the flashlight, pointed into the ground and ran back to the tent." His mother, Halima, noted that this experience changed him. "This isn't the Siraj from before the war. Siraj used to appear strong to everyone. But today the smallest thing shakes him. Maybe because of the loss, or maybe because of what he's seen."

The situation for children in Gaza is dire. Since the war began, more than 18,000 children have been killed, according to Gaza's health ministry. Nearly 40,000 children have lost one or both parents, as reported by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. UNICEF spokesperson James Elder stated, "Gaza is not a place for children right now but it's home to a million of them. And they're seeing, they're hearing, they are witnessing things that no one could ever imagine."

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have denied allegations of targeting children, calling such claims "outrageous" and asserting that they take extensive measures to protect civilians. However, a recent UN Human Rights Committee report accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, highlighting a pattern of targeting children. Israel has rejected this report, labeling it as "distorted and false."

Siraj's family, like many others, has been forced to rely on aid for survival. After the war erupted on October 7, 2023, their lives changed drastically. Siraj's father, Ahmed, had previously worked as a welder in Israel, providing a stable income for his family. Now, they live in a tent in Deir al-Balah, lacking electricity and running water. Siraj described their living conditions, saying, "Life in the tent is hard. Sand where we sleep, the heat when we sleep. The sand and heat mix and stick to the body."

The family struggles to find enough food. Prices have skyrocketed, and aid has been severely restricted. The United Nations has warned of a man-made famine in Gaza City. Siraj and his father often walk to charity kitchens for meals, which consist of basic items like beans or pasta. "The burden is heavy, believe me," Ahmed said. "It's like I'm walking to my death. Why? Because it's heartbreaking. You might find food, or you might not."

The humiliation of relying on aid weighs heavily on both father and son. Siraj recounted a time when he waited in line for food but received nothing. "They said there was no food left," he said. His brother Suwar experienced a similar incident, falling into a pot while trying to get food. Ahmed expressed the emotional toll of their situation, saying, "When the man serving fills your portion you pray in your heart, 'Oh God, let him fill enough so I can go back and it's enough for my children.'"

Despite the challenges, the Mohamed family remains grateful for their survival. However, the ongoing war is likely to have lasting effects on the physical and mental health of children like Siraj as they grow up in such a traumatic environment.