"Allah gave us emotion of fear for protection:" Psychologist helps injured Gaza child heal from trauma

A touching video showing a psychologist comforting an injured Palestinian child, who was struggling with trauma after surviving Israeli genocide in Gaza, went viral on social media.

The psychologist was gently speaking to the child about fear, who was sitting in a hospital bed with bandages covering his eyes and head.

She was helping the child understand that fear is a natural feeling and can even be helpful. She mentioned that fear can alert us to potential threats and can help us stay aware of dangers and keep ourselves safe.

The child listened attentively to the psychologist's words.

“When Allah created humans, He gave them something called emotions, such as joy, happiness, pain, and sadness. One of these emotions is fear, which you have been feeling," the psychologist said.

“When I hear the sound of bombing, I feel scared and run away. In this way, fear has helped protect me," she told the child.

TRIGGER WARNING: Following video contains visuals that may be disturbing to some viewers.

A tough conversation between a psychologist and a child from G۸Z۸‌ pic.twitter.com/MibCZrveMn

— Ryan Rozbiani (@RyanRozbiani) September 19, 2024

According to Jason Lee, Save the Children's Country Director for the occupied Palestinian territory, "Children in Gaza were already living with unimaginable distress following 16 years of blockade and successive escalations in violence. This war and the physical and mental scars it is leaving on children is further eroding their resilience.” 

Since the onset of the Gaza offensive in October 2023, over 15,000 minors have been killed in Gaza. 

Israeli airstrikes have targeted children in tents, schools, and playgrounds, with many being found decapitated or severely burned in the rubble.

The ongoing bombings have left many children orphaned, and they are now facing amputations, disease, psychological trauma, and starvation due to Israel's blockade of aid.