On Thursday, July 24th, 2025, SOS Children’s Villages marked a significant milestone – 500 days since they evacuated 68 children, 11 caregivers, and their families from the SOS Children’s Village in Rafah. The evacuation was a necessary measure to protect these individuals from the imminent threat of a ground attack. Unfortunately, since the evacuation, the village has been completely destroyed by bombardment.
SOS Children’s Villages, the world’s largest charity supporting children without or at risk of losing care, has been advocating for the rights of all Gazans to have the opportunity to return home. Ghada Hirzallah, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Palestine, stated, “Despite the hardship, many children and youth we work with still speak of hopeful futures. They want to become doctors, chefs, teachers, engineers, artists – roles where they can help others. They dream of peace, of returning to their homes, to Gaza, and of feeling safe enough to build a life.”
However, the ongoing security situation in the West Bank has also caused distress, especially since January 2025. Frequent Israeli military incursions have triggered past traumas, particularly among children who associate military presence with earlier traumatic experiences in Gaza.
SOS Children’s Villages worked through diplomatic channels with relevant authorities to safely bring the children and adults to Bethlehem in the West Bank on March 11th, 2024. The children, aged between two and 14 years, were in the care of SOS Children’s Villages as they had lost parental care before the war.
Upon arrival in the West Bank, SOS Children’s Villages staff noted that the children were hesitant to eat their breakfast because they were used to sharing limited amounts of food in Gaza. Since their evacuation, the children have adapted well to structured daily routines, including attending school, participating in weekend outings, and engaging in creative and recreational activities such as sports, art therapy, and music lessons.
Ghada Hirzallah, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Palestine, shared, “We see them now engaging joyfully in activities. Despite the fear and instability, their smiles and laughter during the sessions are profoundly moving. It confirms the importance of our presence and programs and reminded us that even in crisis, healing is possible with the right support.”
One of the significant challenges for the evacuated children is overcoming the emotional strain of being separated from extended family members, after losing parental care and enduring life-threatening conditions in Gaza.
SOS Children’s Villages UK has been contributing to the continued safety and well-being of the evacuated children. Alison Wallace, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages UK, expressed, “After being evacuated from Rafah, three teenage girls told our staff in the West Bank that they were deeply thankful and hoped to pay it forward one day. No child or teenager should have to feel ‘grateful’ for being placed in relative safety.”
She continued, “While these children are no longer in imminent danger, they remain in limbo; safe for now, but cut off from the place they called home. Meanwhile, 500 days after our evacuation, children and families who live in Gaza continue to face mortal danger. It is unforgivable that children still in Gaza are being killed while queuing for food, water, and medical aid, and vital humanitarian assistance has been obstructed, politicised, and even targeted.”
Wallace went on to stress the urgency for the international community to advocate for the rights of displaced Gazans to make a safe return home and guarantee them a home and safety upon their return. She also mentioned that the SOS Children’s Village in Rafah, the evacuated children’s former home, had been completely destroyed by bombardment, leaving them with no safe place to return to.
While the evacuated children are receiving support in the West Bank, several other unaccompanied children and those who could not be evacuated from Gaza are living in an SOS Children’s Villages encampment in Khan Younis. The camp has been subjected to bombs landing as close as 800 meters from their temporary accommodation.
Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/
