Samah Jaber, head of the mental health unit at the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health, has spoken to Al Jazeera about the “catastrophic impact” of Israel’s occupation in both Gaza and the West Bank.
“The traumatic events created by military violence are affecting every Palestinian and younger minds are more prone to be affected. We see that among children and young people,” she said, speaking from occupied East Jerusalem.
Jaber added that children in the besieged and bombarded Gaza Strip are being prevented from attending school, which are not only meant to be safe places but also places for cognitive and social stimulation, which “will impact the future of this generation”.
She also said that as soon as a ceasefire is put into place in Gaza, the health and education systems should take priority because “they will create the foundation for a rehabilitation for the Palestinian community affected by war and violence”.
