War Trauma Leaves Gaza’s Children Struggling to Speak, Experts Warn

Children across Gaza Strip are increasingly losing their ability to speak, as a result of severe war-related injuries and deep psychological trauma, according to medical specialists and aid workers on the ground.

A report by Al Jazeera highlights a growing number of cases involving children suffering from both physical and neurological damage following sustained bombardment. These include head injuries, blast trauma, and other forms of neurological impairment that directly affect speech and cognitive function.

However, experts emphasise that the crisis extends beyond physical harm. Child psychotherapist Katrin Glatz Brubakk, who has worked in Gaza with Doctors Without Borders, describes the phenomenon as a form of “silent suffering” that often goes unnoticed amid the broader scale of destruction.

According to doctors and humanitarian workers, many children who previously spoke normally have become suddenly mute after experiencing extreme shock, fear, and repeated exposure to violence. Witnessing bombings, losing family members, or sustaining injuries has triggered profound psychological distress, disrupting their ability to communicate.

In younger children, the impact is even more severe. Continuous exposure to stress and instability is hindering early development, preventing some from forming speech altogether. Specialists warn that such trauma can significantly delay cognitive and emotional growth, with long-term consequences if not addressed promptly.

The situation is further exacerbated by a critical shortage of mental health and speech therapy services. With healthcare systems under immense strain and basic survival needs taking precedence, access to specialised care remains severely limited.

Humanitarian agencies estimate that nearly all children in Gaza now require some form of psychological support, underscoring the scale of the crisis. As the conflict continues, experts caution that without urgent intervention, an entire generation risks growing up deeply traumatised—many potentially unable to regain their voice.

The unfolding situation highlights not only the immediate human cost of war but also its enduring impact on the mental and developmental well-being of children.