9,090 Palestinian Children Need Mental Health Support, UN: Conditions In Gaza Difficult
JAKARTA - More than half of Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip are in dire need of mental health support due to the recent Israeli military offensive, the UN refugee agency UNRWA said on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters in Gaza City, UNRWA Director Thomas White said about 9,090 children were showing symptoms of psychological distress and shock. White said the children needed primary psychological support.
White further said that the Israeli attack on Gaza in May had damaged economic growth in the Palestinian territories.
"Conditions in Gaza are difficult, especially given the rising rates of unemployment and poverty", White quoted Yenisafak as saying November 4.
The UNRWA chief described the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Gaza-based Palestinian factions and Israel as important, stressing the Palestinian territories need economic recovery after the attacks.
According to White, there are 1,211 households still homeless in Gaza after the Israeli attack.
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To note, Israel's attack last May was followed by armed clashes in the period from 6-21, leaving nearly 260 Palestinians dead and thousands injured and leaving a trail of widespread destruction in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Palestinian resistance groups, for their part, responded with a barrage of rocket attacks on Israeli territory, killing at least 13 Israelis.