From laughter to survival: The effect of war on children’s play in Gaza

Genocide in Gaza has interrupted children’s play, endangering their growth and overall well-being. This research employed semi-structured interviews with thirty participants in Gaza between November 2024 and January 2025 to examine the effects of ongoing war, which began in October 7, 2023 on Gazan children’s play. Transcriptions underwent bottom-up thematic content analysis, resulting in seven themes: Old Games Reimagined with Violence; Emotional Avoidance and Loss of Interest in Play; War-Themed and Aggressive Play; Play Reflecting Daily Struggles; Play as a Coping Mechanism Amid Violence; The Loss of Childhood Through Responsibility; Community Efforts to Restore Childhood. Research shows that although genocide limits and distorts Gazan children’s play, it also encourages adaptive strategies that enhance emotional resilience. The research emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive interventions—including safe play initiatives, psychosocial assistance, and community engagement—to protect the right to play, aid in the recovery of Gaza’s youngest survivors, and strengthen social unity, resilience, and overall developmental continuity.