Letters to the Editor: Hamas must also answer for Palestinian children’s mental health crisis

February 19, 2026 - 23:17

The profound mental health crisis facing Palestinian children in Gaza is a direct consequence of the ongoing war, but a significant share of the responsibility must be placed upon Hamas, contends a letter to the editor.

The writer acknowledges the severe physical and emotional suffering endured by Gaza's youth amid the conflict with Israel. However, the argument pivots to question the role of Hamas in perpetuating this trauma. The letter suggests that by initiating attacks and embedding military operations within densely populated civilian areas, including near schools and hospitals, Hamas has repeatedly placed children in the line of fire.

This strategy, the reader argues, inevitably leads to devastating Israeli retaliatory strikes that result in civilian casualties and widespread destruction. The constant exposure to violence, loss, and insecurity creates deep, lasting psychological wounds for an entire generation.

While the humanitarian toll is undeniable, the correspondent insists that a full assessment must include the actions of Gaza's governing authority. The cycle of violence and its tragic impact on children's mental well-being, therefore, cannot be examined without also demanding accountability from Hamas for its decisions and tactics that endanger the civilian population it governs. The children's ongoing crisis is portrayed as a consequence of both the conflict itself and the choices of their leadership.