Report: Gaza Orphan Crisis Likely Three Times Larger Than UN Estimates

Official counts have previously placed the number of unaccompanied minors between 17,000 and 19,000. However, the IRC warns that these figures fail to capture the scale of the crisis as Israeli attacks on northern Gaza enter their fifth day, forcing thousands more to flee. Humanitarian workers report finding children living alone in hospitals, left vulnerable to starvation, labor exploitation, and the long-term psychological damage of continuous bombardment.

Faten Abu Mousa, the IRC’s child protection manager in Gaza, described a reality where children’s basic need for safety has effectively vanished. Beyond immediate physical threats, the organization highlights a rising trend of severe malnutrition among children under five. This condition leaves survivors with permanent health complications, including stunting and developmental delays, while their weakened immune systems struggle to survive common illnesses. With schools shuttered for over a year, the IRC warns that an entire generation faces a permanent setback in education and health unless an immediate cease-fire is established.