Children in Gaza Losing Ability to Speak Due to War
Ongoing armed conflicts in the Gaza Strip are devastating not only urban infrastructure but also the mental well-being of innocent children. According to reports from Zamin.uz and Al Jazeera, the horrific consequences of the war have caused many children in the region to lose their ability to speak.
Experts are expressing grave concern over the rising number of such cases. One example is five-year-old Jad Zohud, who suddenly stopped speaking after a powerful explosion near his home.
Doctors explain that speech loss in children can stem from two factors: direct physical injuries, such as brain trauma or blast wave effects, or, more commonly, severe psychological trauma. Even without external injuries, a child may sink into internal silence due to the horrors witnessed.
Psychotherapist Katrine Brubakk describes this condition as "silent pain." She explains that when a child perceives an extreme threat to their life, the body enters a "freeze" state, causing the nervous system to temporarily block speech functions. Doctors in Gaza, including specialist Musa al-Khorti, confirm an increase in conditions like selective mutism, where vocal cords fail to function due to intense stress.
Four-year-old Lusin Tambura is another victim; she suffered both physical injuries and speech loss after falling during an airstrike. While her condition has slightly improved, her full speech capability has not yet returned.
Experts warn that prolonged stress keeps the brain in a constant survival mode, which negatively impacts a child's future development, emotional expression, and learning abilities. Although treatment through play therapy and special exercises is possible, the most crucial requirement is a safe environment—something that is currently almost impossible to provide in Gaza.
