ActionAid Palestine to Organize International Online Webinar : Palestinian Youth Amid Ongoing War – Humanitarian Response, Siege, and Starvation

Occupied Palestinian Territory – ActionAid Palestine organized an international online symposium titled “Palestinian Youth Amid Ongoing War: Humanitarian Response, Siege, and Starvation”, shedding light on the reality of Palestinian youth in the face of the ongoing war on Gaza since October 2023. The discussion focused on the consequences of starvation, displacement, rising malnutrition, and the deteriorating psychological impact of war. The webinar was held as part of the activities marking International Youth Day, observed annually on August 12.

The event brought together over 100 participants. Moderated by Ahmed Zaqout from the MA’AN Development Center, ActionAid Palestine’s partner organization, the webinar  featured speakers from youth groups and experts on youth issues and international law. Among them were Arthur Larok, Secretary General of ActionAid International; Jamil Sawalmeh, Director General of ActionAid Palestine; Fidaa Murjan, Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at MA’AN Development Center; youth activist Noor Abu Shammala; Dr. Abd al-Halim Atiyah, researcher in international law at Birzeit University; and Yasmeen Muhanna, youth activist and Coordinator of the Youth Sector at the Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO).

Welcoming participants, Jamil Sawalmeh emphasized the critical leadership role of youth in humanitarian response under catastrophic conditions:
"Our recognition of this role stems from our commitment to support and empowering youth as agents of change. Over the past years, ActionAid has worked on preparing and empowering young people for emergency situations. Youth contributions have been a turning point in leading humanitarian action, demonstrating a deep understanding of the contexts in which they operate. Hence, we call for acknowledging youth as leaders in humanitarian response and recognizing their role in shaping directions, policies, and identifying needs."

Fidaa Murjan highlighted the unprecedented challenges faced by youth in Gaza:
"Young people are among the most affected by war. Instead of building their lives and pursuing their dreams, they are confronted with killing, displacement, and the loss of loved ones. Today, youth in Gaza are on a harsh journey for seeking  shelter, food, and water amidst famine, blockade, and insufficient aid, alongside the collapse of healthcare and the spread of disease. These conditions have severely impacted their mental health, leaving many suffering from anxiety, despair, and a loss of hope. Displacement has deprived them of stability and belonging, forcing them to take on responsibilities beyond their age instead of pursuing education or shaping their future. Yet, day after day, Gaza’s youth prove their resilience, transforming pain into strength and creativity through writing, art, and volunteer initiatives—keeping Gaza’s voice alive before the world."

Sharing her personal story, youth activist Noor Abu Shammala said:
"The war has been devastating for me as a young woman in Gaza. I was displaced multiple times after losing my home, moving between different shelters and living in tents with no privacy or basic services. I lost my job, felt helpless and frustrated, and had to choose between pursuing my higher education abroad or staying with my family. I chose to give up my scholarship and remain with my family, unwilling to abandon them to an unknown fate amid war and communication blackouts. This war strips us of our dignity, depriving us of our most basic human rights—food, medicine, and safety—while living in constant fear of being injured, killed, or losing loved ones."

Dr. Abd al-Halim Atiyah, a researcher in international law, underlined the prohibition of using starvation as a weapon of war, stressing that “UN Security Council Resolution 2417 (2018) recognized that hunger is not only a humanitarian crisis but also a war crime directly linked to armed conflict.”

Speaking about youth contributions in Gaza, Yasmeen Muhanna emphasized:
"Young people are not just victims; they are a powerful force of creativity despite the harshest conditions. Amid siege and destruction, we have seen youth-led educational initiatives inside camps, where young people gather children to teach them reading and writing despite schools being destroyed. They have also launched initiatives to distribute food and water, and run psychosocial support campaigns for traumatized communities. Youth have even created digital and social media campaigns to tell Gaza’s story to the world. My message today is clear: Gaza’s youth are not a burden—they are the energy and future of this country. Despite war, hunger, and unemployment, they continue to innovate, dream, and take action. We are not asking for charity; we are demanding our rights: the right to life, education, work, and dignity. The strength of any society is measured by the strength of its youth. If the world wants to see a free, just, and prosperous Palestine, it must invest in its youth—now, not tomorrow."

Concluding the webinar, Arthur Larok, Secretary General of ActionAid International, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Palestinian youth:"Solidarity alone is not enough. More must be done to end the war and occupation. The Palestinian people do not only need charity —they need the right to self-determination. This is where the role of youth becomes vital. It is essential to listen to the voices of young people on the frontlines who risk their lives to deliver humanitarian aid in the most complex contexts in Gaza and the West Bank. All resources, networks, and partnerships must be mobilized to strengthen the leadership roles of Palestinian youth, because Palestinian youth leadership is the hope of the Palestinian people for the future."

Speakers concluded by calling for an immediate end to the war, continued efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, urging the international community to uphold international humanitarian law, and ensuring resources and opportunities to empower youth and recognize their vital contributions as leaders in humanitarian action and as agents of change in their communities.

About ActionAid International
ActionAid International is a global federation working with more than 41 million people in over 72 of the world’s poorest countries. We strive to build a just and sustainable world where every person enjoys the right to a life of dignity, freedom, and a future free from poverty and oppression. We work to achieve social justice, gender equality, and the eradication of poverty.

ActionAid Palestine began its work in Palestine in 2007 to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinian people, affirming their right to freedom, justice, and self-determination. ActionAid Palestine implements several programs in collaboration with Palestinian communities, youth groups, and women, seeking to empower women and youth and enhance their active civic and political participation. The organization works to strengthen their understanding of rights, support collective action to address rights violations resulting from the prolonged occupation, and improve their leadership capacities to exercise citizenship and hold authorities and other duty-bearers accountable.

For more information, please contact:
Riham Jafari
Communications and Advocacy Officer, ActionAid Palestine
Email: Riham.Jafari@actionaid.org