Marathon in Khan Younis Spotlights Gaza’s Orphaned Children and Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

Khan Younis, Gaza Strip — When the starter whistle blew, dozens of children sprinted forward, and for a brief moment the ruins around them faded from view. The run on Friday was organised to draw attention to children who have lost one or both parents amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Children take part in the event in Khan Younis [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera]

The event, organised by International Networking for Humanitarian (INH) Indonesia, brought together orphaned children from across Gaza for a public demonstration of solidarity and support. Families and neighbours cheered on the participants as they completed laps on an improvised track in Khan Younis.

Samah Abu Amra, a mother of five orphaned children, lost her husband during the first months of the war in an Israeli attack [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera]

A child's loss and a family's struggle: "I miss my father every day. He used to take care of everything for us," said 13-year-old Saif Hijazi, whose father, Rami Hijazi, was killed in an attack on the family home in northern Gaza in January 2024. Saif, who was severely injured and paralysed in January 2025 after artillery struck near his family’s tent, watched from his wheelchair as his younger siblings ran alongside other orphaned children.

Celebrations as the winners receive their medals [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera]

Saif’s mother, 33-year-old Warda Hijazi, described the daily reality of caring for a child with complex medical needs while trying to provide for her other children: "Everything has become my responsibility — their food, medicine, raising them, and trying to make up for the love and care they lost." After repeated displacements the family is sheltering temporarily in al-Zawaida.

Saif Hijazi was honoured at the event [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera]

Scale of the crisis: According to Gaza health authorities, more than 73,000 people have been killed since October 2023. UNICEF reports that over 58,000 children in Gaza have lost one or both parents and that roughly 17,000 children are unaccompanied or separated. More than one million children require protection and psychosocial support due to the impact of the conflict.

Many orphaned children and their caregivers face repeated displacement, lost household income and severely limited access to essential services such as healthcare and education. "When a family loses its main provider, the suffering multiplies in securing basics such as water and food," said Mohammed Yassin, project coordinator at INH Indonesia. He urged more targeted and sustained assistance for these families.

Voices from caregivers: For mothers like Warda and Samah Abu Amra — a 43-year-old mother of five who lost her husband early in the conflict — the pressure is overwhelming. "Children need psychological, financial and emotional support. They need food, clothes, education and even time for recreation," Samah said. She added that many orphaned children are not receiving the long-term support available after earlier crises.

The run concluded with medals and short celebrations. Organisers symbolically honoured 100 orphaned children; Saif’s name was called first in recognition of his courage and the hardships he has endured. "My son needs to feel that he is still part of this world, that people see him and care about him," Warda said as Saif accepted his medal.

Call to action: Organisers and caregivers called on international agencies, donors and human-rights bodies to prioritise sustained humanitarian aid, child protection and mental-health services for orphaned and separated children. Events like the Khan Younis run provide public visibility, but advocates say long-term, well-coordinated support is essential to meet these children’s complex needs.