Structural Violence and its Effects on Children Living in War and Armed Conflict Zones: A Palestinian Perspective

The recent events in Palestine–Israel once again have brought anger and frustration to people inside and outside the medical community. Especially for the pediatric community, the recent wars’ toll of at least 67 children in the Gaza Strip and two children in Israel killed warrants attention. Armed conflicts have both direct effects on children's physical health and indirect harms through toxic stress and deprivation. During these troubling times, when civilians, including children, are dying and being mutilated because of conflict, it is crucial to understand the role of structural violence in perpetuating immediate violence. This article will shed light on the historical context of the recurrent wars and military aggressions in Palestine–Israel and contextualize them from a broader public health perspective.