Gaza records 71,846 orphans and 64,413 widows after three years of genocide
The Palestine Chronicle reports on 7 October 2026:
Key Takeaways
- Gaza’s Social Development Ministry recorded 71,846 children who lost one or both parents, 64,413 widows and approximately 86,000 female-headed households.
- The ministry reported 258,927 displaced families across 2,090 shelters, with approximately 530,000 families registered as needing assistance.
- It called for unrestricted humanitarian access and sustained programs covering family care, education, healthcare, rehabilitation and financial support.
Nearly 72,000 Children Have Lost One or Both Parents
Gaza’s Ministry of Social Development said 71,846 children had lost one or both parents during three years of Israeli genocide, while the number of widows had reached 64,413, Quds News Network reported Wednesday.
In a statement marking three years since October 7, 2023, the ministry detailed the effects of the genocide on family structures, livelihoods and access to essential services as it entered its fourth year.
Approximately 86,000 households are now headed by women, accounting for nearly a quarter of Gaza’s households, according to the ministry. These families face the loss of income, limited employment opportunities and growing costs associated with meeting basic needs.
The ministry said assistance for orphaned children must extend beyond food and cash payments to include family care, psychological and social support, education, healthcare and legal protection.