By Malaka Shwaikh
Abstract: Reconstructing homes is essential, but it is equally vital to tackle wider challenges like education and mental health in Gaza. Enhancing universities with digital resources and educational tools is necessary, alongside volunteering to teach and ensuring that students and faculty have access to essential materials, as well as logistical, financial, and mental support. The global community must engage actively. The residents of Gaza need more than mere verbal support; they require tangible, immediate actions. All these reconstruction efforts must prioritize the voices of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
This article highlights the importance of focusing on education and mental health support in Gaza following the ceasefire. I am drafting this on Saturday, January 18, 2025, a day before the expected implementation of the Gaza ceasefire. This afternoon, I intend to join the local Gaza protest, marking the first demonstration since the ceasefire was declared. My small Scottish city has been holding weekly protests since early October 2023, persistently advocating for an immediate ceasefire. I deeply appreciate every individual who expresses their solidarity.
I am worried about the durability of this ceasefire, as historical precedents show the fragility of such steps following escalations. I also worry about the magnitude of our loss and fear that global attention will wane once a ceasefire is implemented. The global response to Israel’s actions has often been reactive to immediate or physical violence, while the persistent structural violence is less likely to garner equivalent attention. Issues such as the siege, restrictions on movement, and control over air, land, and sea frequently receive insufficient coverage in media reports and solidarity initiatives.
Many writers have analysed the specifics of a Gaza ceasefire. What truly matters to our loved ones in Gaza is their survival. Our loss has been huge. Soon, discussions will shift towards the reconstruction of Gaza, yet little attention will be given to mending the broken hearts left devastated by Israeli brutality. How do we heal the hearts shattered by profound traumas? Many remain trapped beneath the rubble, with parents anxiously awaiting the sight of their loved ones emerging from below, longing for one last embrace. This uncertainty is crushing.
The ceasefire was announced on Thursday, January 15, but its implementation has been cruelly postponed until Sunday. It arrived too late to avert extensive loss of life and destruction. It should not be mistaken for a mere pause of violence but rather a deliberate extension of pain. And even with a ceasefire announcement, Palestinians find themselves in a precarious state while Israel maintains its control over when, where, how, who, and whether to kill, wielding the power to act without accountability.
Our loss has been profound. I lost family, neighbours, and loved ones. The proximity of death has never been so palpable. Many remain trapped beneath the rubble. The scale of this tragedy is beyond our comprehension. My first cousin, Samah, was tragically killed alongside her three children while they sought refuge in their home one night. Basma, another cousin, lost her life to a bullet that struck her neck as she breastfed her daughter, who, against all odds, survived. Another of my first cousins, Badawi, was killed by a drone strike that gruesomely severed his body, cutting it in half, while his son miraculously escaped unharmed just meters away. Another, Hamada, met his end while searching for food for his family. Another first cousin, Fadi, was a victim of a fire belt attack during a series of airstrikes, killed alongside his daughter. Each of my cousins was a remarkable individual—family-oriented, humble, and dedicated. The thought of a future without them is almost unimaginable.
Towards Holistic Support For Palestinians in Gaza
Palestinians in Gaza have pressing needs that extend beyond mere survival. The following discussion concentrates on the significant needs of education and mental health support, which require immediate attention.
In 2024, I made several trips to Egypt, where I met numerous Palestinians from Gaza who are currently residing there. In July of that year, I spearheaded a project in collaboration with a UK-based charity to assess the needs of individuals in Gaza. Accessing Gaza has been a challenge, so our focus shifted to Egypt, which has seen an influx of around 100,000 Palestinians since October 2023. Most Palestinians who fled sought refuge in Egypt, South Africa—now offering visa-free entry for Palestinians—and Oman, which requires a work permit followed by a family reunification request.
In December 2024, I visited South Africa, where I talked with several Palestinians, many of whom had fled Gaza since October. I had in-depth discussions with two families who continue to face significant challenges as their loved ones remain trapped. One woman in her forties highlighted the profound effects of malnutrition on children’s cognitive development, as they have lacked access to nutritious food for nearly two years and have struggled to find recreational activities. Since October, food prices have surged, with costs in the north increasing drastically. A kilo of cucumber costs up to $150, a kilo of tomato at $180, and a kilo of sugar $60. Fathers, traditionally seen as providers, find themselves unable to meet even the basic needs of their families, often relying on infrequent food parcels that primarily contain canned goods and lack fresh produce. The insights shared by the South African woman prompted me to reflect on the long-term consequences of nutritional deprivation on the mental health and educational prospects of Gaza’s children.
Mental Health
Mental health is a critical concern for Palestinians in Gaza. The mental health crisis has its roots in decades of violence, leading to a widespread traumatic stress disorder that is ongoing and relentless. The persistent cycle of violence, inadequate public services, and restricted movement intensify these challenges. Addressing mental health concerns requires tailored psychological support that acknowledges the unique traumas faced in Gaza, provided by local professionals who understand the local experiences. It is vital to address the damage inflicted by ongoing violence and help Palestinians restore their dignity. Global intervention must focus on justice that is collective, restorative, and transformative, aligned with the needs and aspirations of the Palestinian people.
In Egypt and South Africa, I spoke with 40 Palestinian children and their families, many of whom continue to experience sleep disturbances, while others exhibit panic responses to loud noises. Having undergone extensive trauma training, I found it difficult to overlook the pervasive sense of distress among them. The accounts shared were profoundly moving; each family had faced multiple displacements, endured the loss of loved ones, and struggled to secure basic necessities, all while navigating a complex and costly exit process. They all are resolute in their commitment to leverage their time abroad to take care of their families, especially their education.
Education
My mother recently relayed to me that education remains a crucial service we strive to maintain in Gaza, despite many educational activities being conducted in tents. I have three sisters still in Gaza with their families, one of whom resided in a tent with her husband and children until January. Within the ‘camp’, as it is referred to in Gaza, there exists a tent functioning as a school, where teachers and students come from the camp community. Teachers provide instruction in standard subjects, albeit with severely limited resources. The images my sisters sent of the classroom are of a tent partially enclosed with nylon, supported by wooden and steel poles, where 14 students sit on three wooden benches engaged in reading. Unfortunately, many students have faced significant setbacks, potentially losing two full years of education, possibly because many individuals may lack access to computers, the internet, and electricity, or they may live far from educational facilities. In Egypt, most Palestinians are limited to online learning, while their families may attempt to facilitate some form of homeschooling. Due to the lack of citizenship or refugee rights, Palestinians in Egypt cannot enroll in Egyptian public schools. Although private schools are an option, they are excessively expensive, forcing Palestinians, many of whom started from scratch financially, to skip this option for education.
Conclusion
The reconstruction of Gaza must centre Palestinian voices. It must extend beyond merely rebuilding homes, although this remains a priority. My discussions with Palestinians highlight education and mental health support as significant concerns. Other concerns include recognising the ceasefire as an opportunity to initiate a renewed collective struggle for justice. It is also imperative for the global community to unite in backing long-term reconstruction efforts, generating sustainable employment and opportunities for young individuals rendered jobless by Israeli violence. We must equip universities with digital resources and learning tools, donate our time to teach students, ensuring that both students and staff have access to essential materials, along with logistical support and funding. Tailored mentoring and training programs should be developed to address the new realities of the business environment. Central to all these efforts is centring Palestinian voices, ensuring that their diverse needs are acknowledged. The international community cannot afford to be passive. The rebuilding process will demand significant effort and resources. The people of Gaza require more than mere words; they need decisive actions. We must be ready to support Gaza’s reconstruction in every way—physically, mentally, morally, and financially.
