What does more than 1,000 days of violence mean for a child? War Child's partners in the West Bank share what they witness every day.

For more than 1,000 days, children in the West Bank have lived with military raids, settler violence, arrests and forced displacement, while receiving little international attention. War Child's partners share what this devastating reality means for children every day. 

This is what more than 1,000 days of violence does to a child. 

The violence you don’t see 

“We have witnessed an unprecedented escalation in the levels of violence and insecurity experienced by children and their families,” says Samia, a staff member from War Child’s partner organisation in the West Bank*. “We work with children every day who have been subjected to repeated raids, forced displacement, the loss of family members, arrests and ongoing closures that have affected their ability to access education and essential services.” 

Every day, War Child and our partners see how this affects children. Together, we help families cope, rebuild children's confidence and create moments where they can simply be children again. But the challenges they face remain immense. 

“Many people only see the figures and the news reports,” explains Rola, another partner staff member. “But they do not realise the extent of the daily psychological impact on children. Fear, anxiety and uncertainty have become part of their lives.” 

 For children in the West Bank, uncertainty has become part of everyday life. A road closure can stop them getting to school. An Israeli military raid can wake them in the middle of the night. Forced displacement can mean losing their home, routines and family income.