"It's terrifying" - Grimsby charity worker on mental health impact in Gaza

Since Hamas's attack on Israel, the conflict has had a devastating impact on mental health.

Humanity and Inclusion volunteers running psychological support activities in the South of Gaza Strip.
Author: Laurence GriffinPublished 4th Dec 2023

A Grimsby charity worker has said the conflict in Gaza is having a devastating impact on mental health in the region, causing trauma which will be felt long after fighting ends.

Gary Toombs works for Humanity and Inclusion who provide mental health support to people in conflict-affected areas, and help to mark out and remove explosives that have been left behind by previous missile or artillery strikes.

Gary said: "It's absolutely terrifying and quite traumatic for children with huge explosions from large air-dropped bombs, missiles and rockets. The constant fear of living in and amongst an area which may contain explosives and seeing family members injured or killed is extremely traumatic.

"Once explosive ordnance has been dropped, between 9 and 14 percent of it fails to function as designed which is a huge danger as it gets buried under the rubble and can then cause injuries and deaths after the conflict has finished."

A seven-day ceasefire ended on Friday after Israel accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire by firing a rocket an hour before the their truce was meant to end. During the ceasefire, Hamas handed over 100 hostages, while Israel released over 240 Palestinians.

The Hamas-run health ministry said nearly 15,000 Palestinians were killed before the ceasefire. Their attacks on Israel on 7 October killed 1,200 people.

Gary said: Explosives can land in the middle of roads, on critical infrastructure so as these humanitarian aid convoys are trying to get this valuable aid to the people who most need it they're being prevented from moving and denied access because of the explosive ordnance that's been left."

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