Youth in Crisis, Youth in Action: Responding to Aggression in Gaza

The children and young people of Palestine are born in an occupied country, they do not experience freedom, peace, equality or democracy. They grow up in an environment of frequent conflicts, which destroy their fundamental human rights. Young people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are geographically separated by the Israeli siege and occupation. Despite this, their unity of spirit, courage, ideas, patience and resolve to care for each other, their communities and their country cannot be broken.

This unity was never as evident as during the war in Gaza in December 2009. The devastating military campaign killed or injured more of our brothers and sisters than in any previous Israeli offensive. Yet in the face of this onslaught, the young people of Gaza and the West Bank rose out of the physical and psychological rubble of the war to make the impossible possible.

During the war, young people were determined to continue to work and contribute to the relief operations. Sharek supported these young people to enable them to show their commitment by putting their ideas into action and making their voices heard. Within days of the outbreak of war, young people in Gaza, full of natural energy, were mobilized and taking responsibility not just for themselves but also for the children, their communities and their country. Their peers in the West Bank worked around the clock, putting aside their day-to-day work and lives, to mobilize funds and support to meet humanitarian needs from national and international donors. They also provided ongoing personal support by staying in touch 24 hours a day, reminding their brothers and sisters in Gaza that they were not alone. Despite the apparently hopeless conditions, the actions of young people across the Gaza Strip and West Bank in response to the war truly exemplifies the idea of Mahmoud Darwish that, “on this land lays something special worth living for”.

The situation remains very complicated, basic human rights continue to be violated under the atrophy of the social, economic and political situation. With the continued deterioration in living conditions and lack of security due to Israeli aggression and the siege, the internal division and the difficult working conditions, young people in the Gaza Strip are in desperate need of services and care now more than ever before.

Meeting humanitarian and educational needs

The 1.43 million people (54% are under the age of 18) who call the Gaza Strip home have been living under an Israeli blockade since June 2007. As a result, 98% of private businesses have closed, more than 100,000 jobs have been lost, leaving 79% of the population dependant on aid.

On 27 December 2008, Israel initiated “Operation Cast Lead”, a war on Gaza beginning with air strikes and progressing to ground operations on the 3rd of January. The war ended on 18 January 2009 having caused the deaths of 1,380 Palestinians (including 431 children). 5,380 people were permanently disabled (including 1,872 children) . Tens of thousands of homes were destroyed and 140 school buildings were severely damaged. More Palestinians were killed and more properties were destroyed in the 22-day military campaign than in any previous Israeli offensive in Gaza.

Humanitarian Crisis

The Humanitarian crisis in Gaza continued to deteriorate during 2008 as a result of the Israeli blockade, a situation that was profoundly exacerbated in 2009 as a direct result of the war and remains into 2010. A UNDP survey conducted from the 25 January 2009 to 1 February 2009 revealed the following:

• 65% of Gazans live below the income poverty line and 37% live in extreme poverty.
• 66% of the unemployed are extremely poor: an increase from 56% prior to the Gaza war.
• Most households in the Gaza Strip have suffered from limited access to basics such as food, water, electricity, sanitation and money but their greatest need now is personal security.

Education system depleted

With the absence of 4,000 teachers from schools because of political conflicts, the quality of children’s education was further compromised by the war. Schools were suspended and students missed critical lessons. As reported by OCHA in the aftermath of the war:

“Restrictions on the amount and type of materials being allowed into Gaza continue to hamper efforts to support education in Gaza, resulting in a continued shortage of textbooks and other materials for school children. Repairs to damaged schools are also not possible. Drinking water in schools is still lacking. Psychosocial support for children in schools and adolescents remains a priority.”

Sharek’s network of committed volunteers responded immediately to address humanitarian requirements and developed creative responses to support young people with their education.

Other projects that were a direct response to the war in Gaza included (they are outlined under their respective programmes):

• Summer Games 2009 (Bridges)

• Reflections on Gaza (Advocacy and Human Rights)

• Students in Solidarity with Gaza (Advocacy and Human Rights)