Gaza's orphaned children run marathon on Nakba anniversary

Article by Viory

Children’s Marathon Event

Around 110 children from the Gaza Strip took part on Friday in the ‘Zainab Orphans Project’ marathon, running a distance of 500 metres on the 78th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba and International Family Day.

Footage shows the children taking part in warm-up exercises, competing in the marathon, receiving medals and celebrating with music and dance after the race.

Hanadi Skik, one of the marathon organisers, said around 110 orphaned children between the ages of six and 14 participated in the event, with competitors divided into different age categories.

“We send a message to the world that the orphans participating in this marathon are defying pain and hardships, engaging in social and psychological activities, and continuing their journey in life,” she added.

Support For Orphans

Vice President of the Palestinian Federation of Sport for All, Ihab Abu Al-Kheir, described the event’s message as ‘meaningful,’ saying such activities support orphaned children psychologically, socially and educationally.

“We came to this sports event, the marathon, in an effort to compensate these children, even in a small way, for what they experienced during the war,” explained Iman Abu Suria, the aunt of three orphaned children.

“This event also coincides with the 78th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba and International Family Day, so we wanted to create for them an atmosphere similar to the family environment they lost during the war,” she added.

According to the Palestinian Media Center, the number of orphans in the Gaza Strip has risen from 22,000 to around 40,000 since the outbreak of the war in 2023. This includes around 700 children who lost their entire families and are now considered ‘sole survivors.’

War And Nakba

Every year on May 15, Palestinians around the world commemorate the Nakba, or ‘catastrophe,’ marking the mass displacement of approximately 750,000 Palestinians from their homes and villages in 1948 following the establishment of the State of Israel – a date Israel observes as its Independence Day.

The war between Israel and Hamas broke out on October 7, 2023 after the Palestinian group launched an attack on southern Israel, killing 1,139 people taking more than 200 others hostage, according to Israeli officials.

In response, the Israeli army launched a large-scale military campaign in the Gaza Strip, including airstrikes and ground incursions, killing at least 72,744 people and injuring 172,588 others, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

In January, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff announced the launch of the second phase of the Trump administration’s 20-point plan to end the conflict in Gaza, which includes moving from a ceasefire to disarmament, establishing a technocratic administration and beginning reconstruction efforts.

Article by Viory