Effect of Trauma on Mental Health of Parents and Children in the Middle Area of the Gaza Strip

On September 2000, the Al Aqsa Itifada erupted. Palestinian children and families have been exposed to a variety of traumatic events, ranging from hearing of killing, to bombardment by helicopters at the entire Gaza Strip. The current conflict differs from the previous Intifada, in which events such as night and day raids were common occurrence in previous Intifada (1987-1993). Shelling and bombardment became the main them of trauma to children and families especially after the disengagement plan from Gaza Strip in 2005. Even after the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from Gaza Strip, shelling of north and east of Gaza Strip is still a daily act of violence against the Palestinian. Added to this, the sonic sound of jetfighters, bombardment by helicopters, jet fighters, and pilot free aeroplanes including assassinations of Palestinian Militants. According to UN report [1] Palestinian death toll reaches 202 as ‘Operation Summer Rains’ extends into its tenth week The nearly two-month long Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip continues to exact a heavy toll on the 1.4 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. Two hundred and two (202) Palestinians, including 44 children have been killed since 28 June, when ‘Operation Summer Rains’ (the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) name for the offensive) began. Since 28 June, the Israel Air Force (IAF) launched at least 267 air strikes attacks on the Gaza Strip. Common feelings and reactions in the aftermath of a traumatic event include sadness, anger, rage, fear, numbness, stress, feeling of helplessness, feeling jumpy or jittery, moodiness or irritability, change in appetite, difficulty sleeping, experiencing nightmares, avoidance of situations that are reminders of the trauma, problems concentrating, and guilt because of survival or lack of harm during the event [2].