Reacción a "High psychological distress in Gaza has tripled since the start of the genocide among those over 40 years of age"

This research responds to the academic need to highlight the psychological damage experienced by the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip. The current situation of prolonged conflict, blockade of humanitarian aid, and damage to infrastructure and basic services makes life in Gaza a constant threat to mental health.

The relevance of this study lies in the use of longitudinal data from 677 adults who participated in three self-report surveys. These were conducted from their homes in 2020, 2023, and 2025 in the Gaza Strip. Seventy per cent of respondents were between the ages of 40 and 59, and 51 per cent were women.

This study shows a longitudinal increase in psychological distress among those assessed. In Gaza, there is a 12 times greater likelihood of experiencing psychological distress in 2025 compared to 2020. Although this study does not establish a causality between the variables, the current situation of ethnic cleansing and the living conditions of Gazans contextualise the results.

In this regard, academic literature supports a direct relationship between exposure to traumatic situations and the risk of psychological distress (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, among others). Furthermore, it has been shown that the cumulative factor of trauma increases the likelihood of psychological damage if there is greater exposure to traumatic events. This reality applies to the Palestinian context, as prior to the 2023 offensive, the population was psychologically shaken by periodic military attacks.

In short, the authors express the need to consider the psychological impact that the current conflict has on the Gazan population. In turn, they anticipate that future research will assess the long-term psychological impact, resilience strategies, and intergenerational consequences that trauma has on the civilian population.

Ultimately, and by way of interpretation of the study, the measures to be taken to provide psychological assistance to a people such as the Gazans must be framed within the context of respect for human rights and the cessation of the conflict. However, understanding the state of psychological devastation of a community always facilitates its recovery process.