On Thursday, December 18, 2025, a recent poll conducted by YouGov has revealed that despite a ceasefire being announced in October, the majority of the British public still believe that Gaza is not a safe place for children. This information was released by SOS Children’s Villages UK, a charity that provides support to children and young people in more than 130 countries who are without, or at risk of losing, parental care.
According to the poll, 89% of respondents agreed that Gaza is unsafe for children, while 70% said the same about the West Bank. SOS Children’s Villages works in both Gaza and the West Bank, providing care and support to children in a variety of ways, including education, fostering, and humanitarian aid.
The poll also asked about the greatest challenges facing children in developing countries, and the top answer chosen by the British public was war and conflict, with 28% of respondents selecting it as a top challenge. This number increased to 38% for those aged over 65.
Alison Wallace, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages UK, stated, “Children growing up in Gaza have been through unimaginable horrors over the past two years. The focus now needs to be on creating a safe future for them to grow up in. But as it stands, despite the ceasefire announcement, this future is still out of reach. Children continue to be killed, and we all continue to bear witness to the tragedies that are unfolding in Gaza.”
She continued, “It is therefore sadly unsurprising that the British public don’t think Gaza is safe for children, because it isn’t safe. We can’t let the world forget these children, and must continue to call on the UK government to do more to ensure we see lasting peace, once and for all. The thousands of children we support in Gaza deserve better than this, and we will continue to do everything possible to support them and fight for their best interests.”
SOS Children’s Villages had to evacuate 68 children, along with 11 caregivers and their families, from the SOS Children’s Village in Rafah, Gaza to the West Bank on March 11, 2024, due to the threat of a ground attack. This was seen as a temporary measure to remove them from immediate danger. However, since the evacuation, the SOS Children’s Village in Rafah has been destroyed by bombardment.
Following this destruction, SOS Children’s Villages moved its operations to an encampment in Khan Younis, where they have continued to provide support to unaccompanied and separated children and local families. Despite the ceasefire announcement in October, children have continued to be killed in Gaza.
Reem AlReqeb, SOS Children’s Village’s Programme Director in Gaza, shared, “Many people hoped that the ceasefire would finally bring relief to children in Gaza, a moment to breathe, to feel safe again. But on the ground, little has changed. Children are still waking up surrounded by destruction, living in tents that can’t protect them from the cold, and facing each day with the uncertainty of whether basic essentials like clean water, warmth, or medical care will be available.”
She added, “Even without the constant bombardment, fear hasn’t left them. Many children now panic at the sound of heavy rain, thunder, or the flash of lightning, every loud noise feels like a return of danger. The trauma has settled so deeply that even the weather can terrify them.”
Despite the challenges, SOS Children’s Villages Palestine has provided support to over 60,000 people, including 31,192 children in Gaza since the outbreak of war. They have also successfully reunited 115 children with their families of origin.
Ghada Hirzallah, SOS Children’s Villages Palestine National Director, who works in the West Bank, expressed, “Children in the West Bank as well are growing up amid uncertainty, fear, and escalating restrictions. Every day, their basic rights to safety, stability, and protection are interrupted.”
She continued, “For us as humanitarian actors, reaching children with the support they urgently need has become increasingly challenging. Yet, despite the obstacles, our commitment to stand by them and to safeguard their right to a childhood remains unwavering.”
To learn more about the work SOS Children’s Villages is doing in Gaza, please visit their website at: Restoring hope for children in Gaza – SOS Children’s Villages.
For interviews, photos, or more information, please contact media@sosuk.org.
Note to editors: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2,177 adults, and the survey was carried out online between November 30 and December 1, 2025. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults aged 18 and above. Additionally, according to UN reporting, at least 67 children have been killed since the ceasefire was announced.
