Gaza girl, 8, loses hair due to stress, faces psychological struggles

Jerusalem’s Gaza Strip has endured almost a year of warfare, resulting in a new generation of orphans and amputees. Eight-year-old Sama Tabeel, whose entire family is still with her, is yet another victim of this harrowing situation. Due to the immense stress of the war, she has lost most of her hair, covering her bald head with a pink bandana. Sama expresses her fear of the regular shelling to NBC News from a camp in Khan Younis, where she seeks solace in playing with a doll while lamenting the loss of her own hair.

Sama's Condition

Sama's mother, Olfat Tabeel, watches with sadness as her daughter often sobs during interviews, highlighting the impact of the war on Sama's mental state. A particular night of shelling deeply affected them, and despite seeking refuge in a hospital, they experienced bombings there as well. Olfat remarked that after this traumatic event, her daughter’s hair fell out all at once, leading doctors to suggest that it might be a psychological issue. They have been advised that the treatment might require "vitamins and healthy food” and that "More than one doctor told us it’s a psychological state and fear.”

Olfat revealed how before the war, Sama would spend hours in front of the mirror, constantly styling her hair. The drastic change in her daughter's behavior and appearance has left her devastated. Furthermore, the toll of the war has manifested in various ways, as Save the Children reported in March. Children in Gaza have shown signs of mental distress such as appetite loss, bedwetting, and a loss of interest in their previous aspirations. The long-standing blockade on Gaza significantly affected the children, with 55% of them having suicidal thoughts. This situation has only worsened with the onset of the war.

Impact of the Conflict

Since the war began on October 7, there has been a significant loss of life, including the deaths of over 40,000 individuals, with thousands of children among the casualties, as reported by local health authorities. Gurugram, according to reports from Israeli authorities, approximately 1,200 people died, of which 790 were civilians, in addition to approximately 240 kidnapped victims. Olfat asserts that Sama's psychological condition is severely compromised, and the prospect of safety remains uncertain for her. Despite expressing dreams of returning to their home in northern Gaza, Sama is burdened by fears of losing her family members and is in dire need of psychological stability.

The toll of the war on children in the Gaza Strip has been catastrophic. According to local health authorities, thousands of children have lost their lives as a consequence of the ongoing conflict. Sama, particularly, has shown significant psychological distress, as her mother testified to her overwhelming fears and insecurities caused by the war. Despite her longing for stability and normalcy, the unpredictable and hazardous environment prevents any semblance of a peaceful existence.