Gaza’s Children Among the Rubble: Searching for a Living in the Midst of Destruction

Gaza’s children work to collect construction debris from trucks to support their families amid the complete destruction of schools and the disruption of the educational process. These minors face serious health risks while performing these tasks under extremely harsh living conditions.
Daily Suffering Amid Destruction
Chasing Trucks to Collect Debris
Dozens of children roam among the rubble of destroyed buildings in Gaza, waiting for waste transport trucks to pass by so they can quickly climb aboard. Their primary goal is to salvage pieces of metal or wood that can be resold, which represent the only source of income for their families after all traditional forms of work have ceased.
Physical and Psychological Risks
These young children perform this arduous work without protective equipment, exposing themselves to multiple wounds from the sharp materials scattered around. They live under unprecedented psychological pressure due to bearing responsibilities far beyond their years, in a scene that reflects the depth of the human tragedy.
Collapse of the Educational System
Destruction of Educational Institutions
Military operations have led to the destruction of hundreds of schools either completely or partially, depriving thousands of students of their basic right to education. Classrooms have turned into distant memories while children carry work tools instead of school bags.
Deprivation of Childhood
The lack of educational opportunities has forced children to enter the early labor market, where they have lost the simplest manifestations of their childhood. Priorities have become focused on securing daily food instead of following lessons or playing with peers.
Alarming Health Threats
Dangerous Work Environments
Young workers collecting debris are exposed to inhaling toxic dust and dirt emanating from the rubble, with no adequate medical care available to treat injuries or diseases resulting from these practices.
An Uncertain Future
The continuation of these conditions poses a dual threat to Gaza’s children: the risk of sudden death during work, and the risk of chronic diseases that may haunt them for years. This harsh equation places an entire generation before developmental challenges that may persist for decades.