News Center_ Thousands of families in Gaza face escalating challenges in caring for orphaned children, amid the decline of basic services and the absence of adequate support programs, in addition to a lack of healthcare, education,and social services, which exacerbates the suffering of tens of thousands of orphans.

The number of orphans in the Gaza Strip has risen to 64,616, including 55,157 children who lost one or both parents during the genocide war that lasted for two years, , according to the announcement by the Ministry of Social Development in Gaza on the occasion of Arab Orphan Day, which falls on April 1st. The ministry explained that Gaza City recorded the largest percentage of orphans, accounting for 32.7% of the total number.

The ministry affirmed that this day comes amid catastrophic humanitarian conditions experienced by orphans in the Strip, which witnessed one of the most violent and longest wars, where children suffer from displacement, loss of family and shelter, in addition to the interruption of health and educational services and shortages of food and medicine, directly threatening their lives and health.

The ministry called for providing full support to orphaned children, including the reconstruction of buildings designated for their care that were destroyed during the war, providing living and financial care through monthly sponsorships and in-kind assistance, along with ensuring legal protection for their property and preventing their exploitation. It stressed the necessity of providing psychological and social support to help them overcome the effects of losing their parents and enhance their self-confidence.

These figures come amid the devastating war on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 72,289 Palestinians and the injury of more than 172,000, according to news agency data.