A community running event took place in Khan Younis, Gaza, organized to raise awareness about the situation facing orphaned children in the territory. The event, organized by International Networking for Humanitarian Indonesia, brought together dozens of young participants and their families to participate in a public activity aimed at drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis affecting children who have lost parents.
According to health officials and international organizations, the situation remains severe. More than 73,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, with UNICEF reporting that over 58,000 children have lost one or both parents. An additional one million children are estimated to require protection and psychological support due to the ongoing conflict. Many of these children face repeated displacement, loss of family income, and restricted access to healthcare, education, and other essential services.
Saif Hijazi, a 13-year-old participant, represents one of the many affected children. His father was killed in an Israeli attack in January 2024, and Saif himself was paralyzed from an artillery strike in January 2025. He participated in the event from a wheelchair, watching as his younger siblings ran alongside other orphaned children. His mother, Warda Hijazi, now bears sole responsibility for caring for Saif and his two younger siblings while managing severe depression and extreme financial hardship.
Organizers and affected families emphasized the need for comprehensive support beyond basic provisions. Mohammed Yassin, project coordinator at the organizing group, noted that orphaned families struggle particularly acutely when their primary provider is lost, facing severe difficulties in securing food, water, and other necessities. Multiple mothers interviewed stressed that affected children require not only material assistance but also psychological support, emotional care, and opportunities for normal childhood experiences.
Calls for increased international humanitarian intervention were made throughout the event, with organizers urging global organizations and human rights bodies to prioritize support for orphaned children and their families in Gaza during this ongoing crisis.
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