In addition to the deaths of thousands of children in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, during more than two years of indiscriminate attacks by Israel, thousands of children have been injured to varying degrees. The number of children who have been repeatedly displaced, hungry, lost relatives, or separated from their families, schools, and neighbourhoods is also countless. Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect last October, the devastation in the besieged strip has decreased significantly. Although the daily horrors of the past are no longer there, the pressure and shadow of that horror remain everywhere. Like other residents of the strip, children are haunted by these things.
A small-scale virtual reality (VR) service has been launched in Gaza to provide temporary peace to children suffering from physical and mental trauma. This service is being provided through a project called Gaza MedTech. They are trying to take the affected children to a different world by putting on VR headsets. In this world, they can forget the horrors, damage, and destruction of the war for a while. They can enjoy themselves for a short time.
Children are taking part in a VR session in a tent in the Az-Zawaida area of central Gaza. “I got hit in the head. It hurts a lot. I’m trying to forget about it,” said Salah Abu Rukba, a child who participated.
Abu Rukba said of his VR session experience, “When I put on the headset, I forget the pain of the hit. I forget about the destruction, the war, even the sound of the drones. Then I feel comfortable.”
“The memories of the war are mixed in the bodies and minds of Abu Rukba and other children. The VR headset helps them forget the wounds that changed their lives. For a few moments, they can be children again.” It is not clear when the project started.
Palestinian inventor Mosab Ali started the Gaza MedTech initiative. He first started using the VR headset to comfort his injured son. Mosab Ali was killed in an Israeli attack during the war.
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Various studies have shown that VR services can be effective in treating mental illnesses, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But running these services in Gaza is difficult because the equipment needed to provide services is not able to enter Gaza due to the Israeli blockade.
The United Nations estimates that more than 90 per cent of children in Gaza are suffering from extreme mental stress due to the lack of security and stability. They need long-term care to recover.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and several other UN agencies have called for the removal of all obstacles to the delivery of necessary medical equipment and psychological support to Gaza.
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