Conflicts disproportionately harm lives, property, and relationships. This situation aligns with the historical disputes between Israel and Palestine, which date back to the 1920s and the issuance of the Balfour Declaration. The recent Israeli-Palestine wave of conflict started on the 7th of October, 2023, when Palestine struck Israel, killing about 1,200 people. Retaliation from the Israeli military has arguably become the most complex and lasting conflict in modern history over the last two decades in the Middle East. The effect of this strife mainly affects already vulnerable groups, especially women and children, who bear the brunt of the physical tolls and the psychological and socioeconomic aspects of the ongoing dispute, as reported by the WHO in November 2023.

Although the International Court of Justice has issued arrest warrants against Hamas and Israeli leaders, America continues to showcase its homogeneity by supporting Israel, threatening those who decide to choose a different ally than Israel. Many across the world express solidarity with Palestine, using Palestine flags in their social media; holding flags during graduation; and demonstrating on university campuses with “free Palestine” slogans. Yet the United Nations remains tight-lipped on the matter. Countries like Australia were quick to support women and children from Ukraine, but this has not been the case with the Palestinians. This raises the questions of the universality human rights, prompting us to scrutinise whether rights are only truly upheld for certain groups depending on political circumstances. The widespread impacts of the Israel–Palestine conflict on the Palestinian population underscore the need for deeper understanding. This article explored the multifaceted consequences of the Israel-Palestine conflict for vulnerable groups.

Ongoing conflict has deepened Gaza’s humanitarian crisis: The forced establishment of refugee camps with inadequate living conditions has left nearly 1 million women displaced. Women and children are particularly vulnerable in these settings, where famine and poverty are rampant and necessities such as clean water, healthcare, and food supplies are often scarce due to restricted humanitarian assistance. The lack of sustainable income sources, as reported by the United Nations (UN) in June 2024, exacerbates this situation, leaving families deprived of daily needs. This dire situation has resulted in significant food insecurity concerns. This conflict has generated social fragmentation, with communities becoming increasingly distrustful and insular. Such situations have often created avenues for women to become primary caregivers and/or find themselves isolated from social support networks, thus aggravating children's social development due to limited space to interact with peers in a nurturing and safe environment – a similar happening to Palestinian children and women caught in crossfires.

Women and children are caught in conflict crossfires. They face the constant threat of air strikes, ground assaults, and other forms of violence. The casualty rates among these groups are alarmingly high, with many losing their lives or suffering from serious injuries. This conflict exposes family members to a devastating loss of life. Statistics by UN Women indicate that 67% of those killed are women, and about two mothers are killed every hour. The constant threat of danger has a severe psychological effect on women and children, exposing them to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Children, the most vulnerable in these situations, can display behavioural challenges, nightmares, and problems in concentration. However, the unlawful destruction of health facilities, transport infrastructure, and personnel in Israel–Palestine conflict zones not only restricts support for Palestinians in the case of food, water, and medical treatment but also clinical psychological treatment, which can lead to prolonged repercussions when mental health issues are left untreated. By addressing this issue, we can bring hope to the situation, as statistics of trauma among women and children in Palestine serve as a powerful tool in addressing the plight of vulnerable groups.  

The destruction of homes and infrastructure further endangers the safety of women and children, leaving them without shelter or essential services. The volatility of the conflict zone in Gaza has laid fertile ground for gender-based violence. Women and girls are at increased risk of sexual violence, exploitation, and abuse. As of October 2024, approximately 27% of the Palestinian girls and young women caught in the Israel–Palestine conflict surveyed by Plan International reported experiencing gender-based and sexual violence. The breakdown of social structures and lawlessness in these zones allows perpetrators to go unpunished and provides survivors with little or no access to support services.

Furthermore, maternal and child health have been severely impacted, with pregnant women and young children at significant risk. The destruction of healthcare facilities and shortages of medical supplies have left several women giving birth in unsafe conditions, leading to high rates of infant and maternal mortality. The UN Human Rights Office reported that between October 2023 and June 2024, 27 of 38 hospitals in Gaza-alone had 136 strikes. Children are also more susceptible to malnutrition and preventable diseases, which are prevalent because of poor living conditions and a lack of healthcare access. The collapse of infrastructure disrupts food distribution to the war-tone zones in Gaza, risking food scarcity, which in turn drives up malnutrition - affecting the cognitive and physical development of children. This underscores the urgent need to address the impact of conflicts on maternal and child health.

Finally, although education is a universal human right, the disruption of approximately 90% of educational facilities in the Palestinian War zone due to persistent instability and violence is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention. Persistent instability and violence resulting from the Israeli-Palestine War has led to schools being used as military bases, making educational attendance risky. Notably, psychological trauma from conflicts hinders children’s learning and academic progress. More than 625,000 school-age children have been out of school for the entire year. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has made significant efforts to deepen the understanding of gender-based vulnerabilities to ensure gender sensitivity when determining humanitarian needs for children. However, the situation for girls is further influenced by the cultural and social barriers that prioritize boys’ education, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive humanitarian aid.

The complex needs of women and children in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires a concerted effort from the international community. These vulnerable groups have endured unimaginable suffering; humanitarian aid and mental health initiatives must be provided, with careful consideration to ensure humanitarian aid is gender sensitive. Advocating for a peaceful resolution to the dispute is crucial. Thus, offering hope for a better future lies on prioritizing women's and children's well-being by creating avenues to mitigate the devastating challenges of this protracted conflict and create a more stable and just future.

Beatrice Alupo, a recent International Relations PhD graduate from Griffith University Brisbane, Australia, has conducted research with practical implications. Her thesis, which focused on 'Uganda's refugee settlement approach’s responsiveness to the needs and interests of settled refugee women,' provides valuable insights for improving refugee settlement policies. Currently, she is sharing her expertise by lecturing on welfare systems and services for Knowledge Education in Sydney, Australia. Her research interests, particularly human and gender rights and intersectionality, inspire hope for a more inclusive and equitable future.