‘Silent suffering’: Why children in Gaza are losing their ability to speak
Summary
Children in Gaza are increasingly losing their ability to speak due to injuries and extreme psychological trauma caused by ongoing conflict and violence. Doctors and therapists warn that this silence is a serious response to trauma and can harm children's development if not treated.Key Facts
- Many children in Gaza suddenly stop speaking after bombings or injuries.
- Causes include physical damage like head injuries and psychological trauma without visible wounds.
- Conditions such as selective mutism and hysterical aphonia (voice loss due to stress) are reported.
- A child psychotherapist says silence is a natural response to extreme trauma and a way to cope.
- Continued trauma keeps children’s brains in survival mode, affecting learning and emotional growth.
- Doctors say untreated speech loss can lead to long-term developmental problems.
- The trauma in Gaza is described as more severe and widespread compared to other conflict zones.
- Nearly all children in Gaza have been affected by the violence in some way.
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