Medical workers evacuate a family after their house was hit by an Israeli air raid in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip earlier this year. (Wissam Nassar, Maan Images)

10 year old Khamis Wafi has good reason to be happy; it is the first time he has not jumped at the sound of a balloon bursting. This "achievement" was the result of treatment supervised by Ali Nasman, a psychiatrist who is caring for dozens of Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, specifically in the northern regions, for the shocks that they have suffered as a result of the sounds of explosions launched during Israeli operations that targeted the Gaza Strip, in particular during Operation Hot Winter that began at the end of February.

The treatment process is based on the idea of accustoming children to the sounds of explosions in order to reduce their psychological effect. There have been positive results amongst some children whereas others are terribly frightened when they hear a balloon bursting.

Investing in the treatment of children for psychological shocks that they have suffered as a result of shelling operations is truly justified since the condition is so common. Ibrahim Hawash, 42 years old, frequently calls his wife during his nightshift at work to make sure that she follows the prescribed treatment for their children's involuntary urination condition. The family doctor confirmed that the four children, who are in primary school, have lost the ability to control their bladders as a result of the shock they suffered when Israeli army jets bombed a house close to their home in Jabalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip during the Hot Winter military campaign.

The four children still remember this terrifying night when they suddenly woke up to the deafening sound of an explosion and found that glass from their windows had landed on their beds. Ibrahim, who works at a Palestinian security agency, said that his children refuse to sleep alone and insist on sleeping in the same bedroom as their parents out of fear. He added that it took a lot of effort to persuade two of his children to go back to school as they are afraid of Israeli bombing operations taking place on their way to school or whilst at school. Thousands of Palestinian children have experienced what Hawash's four children are going through.

Dr. Aish Samour, director of the Psychiatric Hospital in Gaza, stated that 30% of Palestinian children under 10 years of age suffer from involuntary urination due to deep-seated fear and mentions other nervous habits such as nail-biting, having nightmares, physical pains of unknown cause, crying and introversion.

Dr Samour explained that "A child exposed to this much violence becomes violent in his interaction with colleagues and siblings. This condition lowers his educational level and weakens his ability to concentrate." He pointed out that Palestinian children who go through shocking experiences during invasions and bombings become less obedient to their parents and families.

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Samour stated that since the beginning of this year, the percentage of children who frequently visit the hospital has increased. The hospital currently receives 33 children a month that is a 30% increase over the previous year. Samour highlighted that 47% of children have suffered psychological shocks without their families realizing it. "The children of Gaza are not children who lead normal lives. They endure difficult psychological suffering as a result of the Israeli occupation's actions, which has a negative impact on their lives, their psychological health and their ability to adapt to life," he said.

According to a study conducted by the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, every Palestinian child has been exposed to over nine shocking events. The study added that 95.6% of children have seen images of the wounded and dead, and 95% have been affected by the sounds of explosions. The study further indicated that all children have been exposed to some kind of psychological shock whereby 60% of children have experienced moderate psychological shock, 6.7% have experienced minor psychological shock, while 33.3% have experienced major psychological shock. The study indicated that 15.6% suffer from minor post-traumatic disorder, 62.2% suffer moderately, while 20% suffer severely.

Dr. Eyad Al Sarraj, director of the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, stated that Palestinian children have lost the sense of security and the sense of happiness. According to a study conducted by the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, 45% of children said that they had watched Israeli soldiers beat and insult their fathers in front of them. "The fact that Palestinian children take refuge in Palestinian organizations reflects their desire to gain a new strong identity that can protect them," Al Sarraj added.

To read the full article please visit Asharq Al-Awsat.