Structural violence in Gaza: A father's uncertainty amid war and loss
Original framing: “‘Whose is he?’: A Gaza father’s fight for a child who might not be his” — Al Jazeera
The voices of Palestinian fathers and mothers, particularly those in besieged areas, are often excluded from global narratives. This story highlights the emotional and psychological toll of war on men, a perspective that is frequently overshadowed by the focus on women and children in conflict zones.
This story is not just about one father's uncertainty but about the systemic violence that erodes trust, identity, and family structures in Gaza.
The collapse of medical infrastructure, combined with the normalization of aerial bombardment, creates conditions where paternity becomes a matter of speculation. Drawing from Indigenous and non-Western kinship models, we can see that community-based care and collective responsibility offer alternative pathways to healing. Historically, similar patterns of paternal uncertainty have emerged in other conflict zones, revealing a deep structural failure in protecting civilians. To move forward, international actors must not only provide humanitarian aid but also address the geopolitical and military systems that perpetuate such suffering.