Autistic Children Face Heightened Trauma Amid Israel’s War on Gaza

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1721 EAT on Sunday 28 September 2025

Amid the relentless forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza under intense Israeli bombardment, caring for children with special needs has become increasingly dangerous and distressing.

Abeer Hassan, who is sheltering in Deir el-Balah, struggles to care for her autistic son, Abdallah, in the midst of the chaos. “The constant explosions terrify him,” she says, describing how the sounds of airstrikes and destruction trigger extreme distress in her son, who is unable to process the trauma.

“As people began fleeing the area, we were also urged to leave,” Abeer Hassan told Al Jazeera, describing the chaos that forced her family to abandon their home in central Gaza.

Her autistic son, Abdallah, was particularly affected. “He used to watch cars packed with displaced families fleeing. He would come back to the tent very tense and nervous, using sign language to express his fear,” she added.

Hassan said the family first reached a displacement camp called Ameera, only to find it overcrowded, with no space left to set up a tent. “Later, they told us to seek shelter near Salah al-Din Street, despite the danger,” she said.

“My daughters and I were crying, and Abdallah became agitated, making unusual sounds. The scorching heat is unbearable, and we have no idea where to go next,” Hassan said, her voice breaking with exhaustion.

Since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023, the Israeli military has issued multiple forced evacuation orders for Palestinians across the besieged enclave—often directing them to the southern area of al-Mawasi, designated as a so-called “safe zone.”

However, al-Mawasi itself has been repeatedly targeted in Israeli strikes, undermining its status as a refuge. Even the mass exodus from Gaza City—as families flee further south in search of safety—has not been spared from attack, leaving many with nowhere truly secure to turn.

For Abdallah, a child with autism, the relentless cycle of evacuation orders and bombardments has been especially traumatic. He now spends most of his time wandering the streets in distress, and has developed a new, anxious habit of pulling out his hair. In response, his family cut his hair short in an attempt to prevent him from injuring himself.

“I started giving him his prescribed sleeping pills again—just to keep him from going outside in the extreme heat. There’s nothing else I can do to help him,” said Abeer Hassan, describing her desperate efforts to care for her autistic son, Abdallah, amid the chaos of displacement.

“Two days before we were forced to flee, I discovered my mobile phone was broken. It was the only thing that helped calm him—he used to play games and watch videos. Now, even that comfort is gone,” she added.

“We were all under immense pressure — young and old alike. At one point, I asked God to take our lives together so Abdallah wouldn’t be left alone. Not everything he needs is available here,” Abeer Hassan pleaded, her voice breaking.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, nearly two years of intense Israeli attacks and raids have killed at least 66,005 people and wounded 168,162 as of Sunday.

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