Effects of Displacement on the Elderly During the Genocide War on the Gaza Strip 2023

Effects of Displacement on the Elderly During the Genocide War on the Gaza Strip 2023

Introduction:
Israel continues to violate international humanitarian law, human rights law, and the Fourth Geneva Convention through its policies, practices, and flagrant violations. These actions blatantly reflect a systematic, supremacist racist policy characterized by killings, assassinations, arrests, severe restrictions on freedom of movement, closures, siege, demolition of homes and infrastructure, and the forcible displacement of citizens. For more than 76 years, the Palestinian people have been subjected to successive calamities. Most of the elderly lived through the catastrophe of 1948, the setback of 1967, and the subsequent assaults, uprisings, strict sieges, and wars—culminating in the ongoing genocide that the residents of the Gaza Strip have endured since October 7, 2023. What the Palestinian people have experienced is unprecedented compared to anything they have faced before. Today, they continue to endure an ongoing genocide that has inflicted massive human tragedies. This systematic campaign has devastated every aspect of life, as the occupying forces have turned the Gaza Strip—besieged for more than 17 years—into an uninhabitable rubble heap. Moreover, during this war, the deliberate actions of the occupation have resulted in the largest number of massacres and the highest Palestinian death toll, along with extensive destruction of infrastructure and the leveling of large parts of the Strip—a crime that stands as one of the most heinous of the twentieth century before the eyes and ears of the entire world.

Section One: The Reality of the Elderly During the Ongoing Genocide Since October 7, 2023
According to a report by the Palestinian Ministry of Health issued on January 6, 2025, the ongoing genocide has resulted in more than 45,805 recorded fatalities (excluding the number of missing), with 3,447 of these being elderly individuals.

Moreover, from October 7, 2023, until the preparation of this report, the raging genocide has forced the displacement and homelessness of more than 85% of Gaza’s population—approximately 1.93 million Palestinian citizens—confined to geographic areas covering no more than 30% of the Gaza Strip. The occupation’s government claims these areas to be “safe humanitarian zones,” yet these places have not been spared from the Zionist apparatus of brutality and have never been safe or humane throughout the more than 458 days of this ongoing genocide.

The elderly are the most adversely affected by this repeated, forced displacement. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the elderly comprise about 5% of Gaza’s population—approximately 107,000 people.

The elderly face severe violations and challenges during displacement resulting from armed conflicts and wars. Their rights and living conditions have been compromised: their civil, political, economic, cultural, and social rights have been violated by various means, contrary to all international conventions and treaties, including international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention. Often, the elderly are the last to flee during armed conflicts; they fear losing their homes or land—their most valuable possession—and sometimes suffer from chronic illnesses, physical or mental disabilities, or other impairments, making it difficult for them to escape or obtain information regarding evacuation procedures.

Although international attention to the rights of the elderly emerged relatively late, the international community began to focus on this group through vigorous efforts by the United Nations toward the end of the twentieth century. This culminated in the First World Assembly on Ageing in 1982, which led to recommendations, the subsequent establishment of several UN principles concerning the elderly in 1991, the declaration on ageing in 1992, and then the Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002.

  1. Rights of the Elderly According to the UN Principles on Ageing (1991):
    The United Nations General Assembly, in 1991, adopted the UN Principles on Ageing through Resolution 46/91. This document includes:
    • The Principle of Autonomy: Entitling the elderly to sufficient food, water, shelter, clothing, and healthcare, as well as the opportunity to work for a wage and access education and training.
    • The Principle of Participation: Requiring that the elderly be involved in shaping and implementing policies that directly affect their well-being, share their knowledge and skills with younger generations, and be able to form their own networks.
    • The Principle of Care: Mandating the provision of opportunities for family care and healthcare for the elderly and enabling them to enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms when residing in care or treatment facilities.
    • The Principle of Self-Actualization: Ensuring that the elderly have access to opportunities for full development of their potential through participation in the educational, cultural, spiritual, and recreational resources of society.
    • The Principle of Dignity: Guaranteeing that the elderly live with dignity and security, free from any exploitation or abusive treatment—whether physical or mental—and that they are treated fairly regardless of their age, gender, racial or ethnic background, disability, financial status, or any other condition, and that they are respected regardless of their economic contribution.

Before the eyes and ears of the world—and for over 76 years, including during the ongoing genocide since October 7, 2023—Israel has flagrantly violated all international laws, norms, and treaties. Israel has egregiously violated international law and human rights, routinely disregarding all resolutions passed by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council without fear of international sanctions. The elderly are subjected to a series of violations of their fundamental rights—most notably, the right to life, security, safety, and dignity, as well as the right to shelter, food, and medical care.

  1. Rights and Violations:
    The rights of the elderly are an integral part of human rights, representing the general principles that guarantee dignity, equality, and non-discrimination. As noted earlier, these principles are a fundamental pillar for all rights that the elderly should enjoy in society, forming the basis of the rights accorded to them under international laws and treaties.

Below are some of the violations committed by Israel against the elderly during the ongoing genocide from October 7, 2023, until today:

First: The Right to Life, Physical Security, and Dignity:
The right to life is the cornerstone upon which all other human rights are based, as enshrined in Article 3 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (“Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person”). This is reinforced by Article 51 of the Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions (1977), which states that civilians are entitled to general protection against the dangers arising from military operations. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in Article 1, states that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights…,” while Article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) mandates full respect for the human rights of civilians. Furthermore, Rule 88 of customary international law emphasizes the need to provide care and respect for persons with special needs, including the elderly.

The Violation:
This right is blatantly violated through direct killings, random attacks, starvation, denial of healthcare, discrimination, humiliation, and inhumane treatment—especially during displacement, in military operational areas, and in cases of arbitrary arrest and detention. This is evident from statistics and reports by official agencies indicating that the number of fatalities exceeds the figures officially announced by the Ministry of Health, with hundreds missing under rubble. Border areas inaccessible to rescue teams further compound the issue. The high toll among the elderly clearly demonstrates the magnitude of the violation of their right to life—direct killings, injuries caused by hostilities, and negligent actions leading to death are undeniable realities faced by the elderly during this ongoing genocide.

An especially striking indication of these violations was made on December 5, 2023, by Martin Griffiths, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, who stated:
“There is no safe place in Gaza—not in hospitals, shelters, refugee camps; no one is safe—not children, not healthcare workers, not humanitarian workers. This blatant disregard for basic humanity must stop.”
This declaration—made over 14 months into the ongoing genocide—is among the most poignant and truthful, as no place in the Gaza Strip guarantees human safety, and Israel continues to show no commitment to protecting basic human rights.

This is further corroborated by a joint statement from the Prisoners’ Authority and the Prisoners’ Club regarding Israel’s violation of the elderly’s right to life, security, physical safety, dignity, and respect. According to the testimony of a detainee recently released, who was accompanied by an elderly detainee, Ahmed Rizq Ahmed Qudaih, who died on February 16, 2024: “The elderly Qudaih was held in a camp about two hours from the Karam Abu Salem barrier. He was transferred for interrogation and subjected to severe torture focusing on his limbs. The marks of intense torture were evident when he was returned to the detainee holding area.”

Such testimonies, statements, and reports from international organizations illustrate the extent of Israel’s flagrant violations of the fundamental human rights of the elderly.

Second: The Right to Healthcare:
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966) in Article 12 recognizes the right of every person to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. The Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) in Article 16 also mandates that wounded and sick persons receive medical and humanitarian care to the fullest extent possible.

The Violation:
The majority of the elderly in Gaza suffer from chronic illnesses requiring regular medical follow-up and care. Their suffering has intensified due to the mass displacement of elderly individuals and the continuation of Israel’s genocidal campaign, which has led to the destruction of healthcare facilities, disruption of services, and the prevention of necessary medical care, including the entry of medications and medical supplies. Consequently, obtaining adequate healthcare has become extremely difficult. This has exacerbated chronic illnesses and led to a decline in health, the spread of infectious diseases, and malnutrition in displacement camps and centers. Many chronically ill patients—approximately 350,000 in Gaza—have been deprived of the healthcare they require.

One elderly man, known as “Grandfather Maysara” (77 years old and suffering from heart disease), said in a soft voice:
“I am an old man barely able to move. The life we live now requires young people to procure food. As you can see, I have no children—I never had any—and I live with my equally frail wife.”
He added, “I am embarrassed to go to the hospital. There are thousands of injured, many more than me, being attended to. Truthfully, I cannot move from where I am, and it is extremely difficult for me to walk to the health centers to get my medication. Since the war began, I have not taken my pills.”
Maysara, who was displaced from Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza and walked to Rafah in the extreme south, described how he searched for a wheelchair for days without success, forcing him to rest repeatedly. He noted that this has led to complications and that he now feels as if he is the next victim of the war.

Third: The Right to Protection from Violence and Abuse:
Article 5 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” Additionally, Article 4 of the Additional Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions (1977) prohibits attacks against civilians or any individual thereof.

The Violation:
Due to their health conditions, the elderly depend heavily on others for daily needs. Forced displacement further increases this dependency and diminishes their sense of autonomy, exposing them to physical and psychological violence, abuse, and exploitation. Living under unstable conditions and uncertainty about the future has robbed them of security and stability, leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder as they lose their sense of identity, belonging, and connection to their property and loved ones. Social isolation and loneliness—exacerbated by displacement—have further eroded the support they once received from family and friends, making adaptation to new environments even more difficult.

One of the most extreme manifestations of violence and abuse against the elderly has been Israel’s policy during this war, which includes the arrest and detention of elderly individuals under inhumane conditions and the failure to comply with international resolutions meant to protect civilians.
A video clip shows an elderly man, Raed Tafesh (66 years old), after his release. The video documents the visible effects of torture on his emaciated body; he suffers from kidney failure and was held in harsh conditions for 51 days. In his testimony, the elderly man described how soldiers humiliated detainees regardless of their age or health, subjecting them to beatings, insults, and depriving them of access to bathrooms or water, leaving them exposed to freezing conditions and hunger for days.

Fourth: The Right to Adequate Shelter:
Article 25 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care.” The Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) in Article 49 also prohibits the forcible transfer or deportation of protected persons.

The Violation:
Continuous random shelling has led to the destruction of thousands of homes and public facilities that provide services for the elderly. Repeated evacuation orders have forced many elderly people to leave their homes and familiar living areas under extremely harsh conditions, forcing them into shelters and displacement camps that are ill-equipped to meet their specific needs. The lack of privacy in these locations further exacerbates their suffering. Despite the brutality of the war in the Gaza Strip, many elderly individuals have refused to abandon their homes—some even preferring death over displacement, recalling the catastrophe of 1948—and hope to be protected under international law.

Israel’s forcible displacement policy is evident in its deliberate use of military means to compel citizens to leave their homes as part of its genocidal strategy. High-ranking Israeli government and war council officials have repeatedly declared their intention to forcibly displace the population, stating that Gaza’s territory will shrink, that shelling and leveling Gaza is inevitable, and that the lands will be delivered to settlers. For instance, Israeli Agriculture and Food Security Minister Avi Dichter stated, “We are now in the process of executing a catastrophe.”
Furthermore, Martin Griffiths, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, stated that “Gaza has become a place of death and despair. Families sleep outdoors while temperatures plummet. Areas designated for civilian relocation have been shelled, and even medical facilities are under constant attack.”
This grave violation is further documented by the Euro-Med Observatory, which reported that the director of the Al-Wafa Nursing Home for the Elderly was killed after an Israeli airstrike targeted the hospital, resulting in numerous casualties among elderly residents and preventing ambulances from reaching the facility. The Al-Wafa Center is the sole shelter and care facility for the elderly in Gaza. The Observatory noted that these incidents are just examples of a systematic process of executions and physical liquidations affecting dozens of elderly people in areas targeted by Israeli forces.

Fifth: The Right to Food and Water:
Article 55 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) stipulates that the occupying power is obligated to provide food and medical supplies to the protected population. This is reaffirmed by Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), which recognizes every person’s right to an adequate standard of living, including sufficient food.

The Violation:
This violation is manifested in Israel’s repeated international claims that it does not use hunger as a weapon against Gaza’s civilians—a claim that is being challenged as a war crime. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued several orders instructing Israel to take immediate and effective measures to provide essential services and humanitarian aid in Gaza. On January 26, 2024, the ICJ ordered Israel “to take immediate and effective measures to provide the basic services and humanitarian aid desperately needed in the Gaza Strip.” The Court noted that “the catastrophic living conditions of Palestinians in Gaza have further deteriorated,” citing “prolonged and widespread deprivation of food and other basic necessities.” In March 2024, further measures were ordered to ensure Israel provides essential services and aid—including food, water, fuel, shelter, clothing, and sanitation supplies—along with medical supplies and support. On May 24, 2024, the ICJ issued a third order obliging Israel “to keep the Rafah crossing open to ensure that essential services and urgently needed humanitarian aid are delivered without hindrance.” Before issuing these orders, Judge Donahue cited a UN statement from the end of last year, noting that 93% of Gaza’s population faces a crisis level of hunger due to inadequate food supply and high rates of malnutrition.
Despite these binding ICJ orders, Israel continues to disregard them, preventing and delaying the entry of aid to international organizations and civil society groups in Gaza. This has worsened the humanitarian crisis, with more than one urgent appeal recorded from UN agencies warning of famine in Gaza.

In a message following a two-day visit to Gaza by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Muhannad Hadi, it was noted that “those who do not die from bullets or bombs may die due to the lack of proper healthcare, insufficient food, or unsafe drinking water.”

Sixth: The Right to Freedom of Movement:
Article 13 of the 1948 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that “Everyone shall have the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state,” and the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) in Article 27 requires that all parties to a conflict respect the freedom of movement of protected persons.

The Violation:
Restrictions imposed on the movement of Gaza’s citizens—especially the elderly—are severe. After the Gaza Strip was divided into northern and southern regions, and with displaced persons prevented from returning to their original homes, many elderly people have been unable to move safely. In addition, difficulties in navigating within the areas where they live or have been displaced, coupled with repeated evacuation orders during military operations, have further impeded their safe movement. The closure of crossings, travel bans, and the prevention of civil defense or emergency services from transporting the sick or evacuating civilians all contribute to depriving Gaza’s residents—especially the elderly—of their right to free and safe movement within the Strip. To illustrate the scale of this violation, the Israeli military has issued no fewer than 184 evacuation orders, forcing 1.9 million Palestinians in Gaza to leave their homes for various destinations. The very first order, issued on October 13, 2023, forced more than one million people to flee their homes. As of July 2024, OCHA reported that the majority of Gaza’s population remains internally displaced.

A testimony from Fayza Said Abu Shamas, a 78-year-old resident of the Al-Shate’ camp in western Gaza (at the Al-Meezan Center), reported:
“After the intense shelling on Al-Shate’ camp where I live, we moved to Al-Aliya School (an UNRWA school in the camp). When local residents sought refuge in schools, the occupation distributed leaflets ordering residents to evacuate to southern Gaza. I don’t remember the exact date, but we did not leave the school because we had nowhere to go in the south. While we were at the school, we witnessed unspeakable terror and fear, with constant sounds of shells, gunfire, and white phosphorus. Eventually, the shelling reached the room I was in, and I narrowly escaped certain death.”

Seventh: The Right to Legal Protection:
The Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) in Article 147 declares that forced displacement and cruel or inhumane treatment constitute grave breaches. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998) in Article 7 states that forcible displacement and inhumane treatment are crimes against humanity, and Article 8 classifies attacks on civilians and humanitarian infrastructure as war crimes.

The Violation:
Israel has failed to adhere to any international rules or laws that safeguard civilians or specifically address the vulnerabilities of the elderly. Despite the expectation that the elderly should receive additional protection under international humanitarian law, Israel has disregarded these obligations. Instead, it has made them legitimate targets in its ongoing genocide, all amid silence and complicity from the international community. Systematic killings, forcible displacement, brutal treatment, denial of healthcare, targeted attacks on civilian and healthcare facilities, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture—all these violations have been carried out during the genocide against Gaza’s population, with the elderly suffering the most. This systematic abuse calls for legally guaranteed protection under international law and treaties. However, the absence of accountability mechanisms, the lack of international justice, and the unconditional, unlimited support of some states for Israel in its war against Gaza have allowed these violations to continue unabated.

The only international decision adopted by the UN Security Council during this ongoing genocide in Gaza came in December 2024, Resolution 2720, which called for the facilitation of humanitarian aid entry into Gaza and the protection of civilians. This resolution—passed without objection from the United States—was seen as a positive exception, demonstrating the potential for international consensus in the absence of a U.S. veto. However, the Council’s inability to enforce the resolution on the ground has rendered it ineffective, further undermining trust in the UN as an instrument for achieving international justice.

Meanwhile, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, has called on the international community to impose sanctions on Israel and immediately ban arms exports to it, given evidence that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Albanese stressed that there is substantial evidence that Israel is engaging in multiple acts of genocide in Gaza, manipulating international humanitarian law to justify its violations.

Section Two: The Elderly in Palestinian Law and in International Laws and Conventions

Legal Framework:
Most domestic and international laws do not differentiate among members of society based on a specific criterion but establish general legal principles applicable to everyone without discrimination—whether concerning civil, political, or social rights. The amended Palestinian Basic Law of 2003, in its second chapter, enshrines rights such as equality, the protection of human rights, personal liberty, freedom of opinion, and the right to residence and movement, as well as rights to housing, education, work, political participation, and others that the Palestinian Authority strives to secure and protect. It is clear from legal texts that the age threshold for the elderly in Palestine is 60 years and above, according to the Palestinian General Retirement Law No. 7 of 2005, and the draft law on the elderly—the Proposed Law on the Rights of the Elderly (2012).

On the international level, general legal principles have been established that outline the rights every human being is entitled to. These principles have evolved into a universal human rights doctrine—often referred to as the “international bill of human rights”—which includes the 1945 UN Charter, the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966). Although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights does not explicitly mention the elderly, many of its provisions apply directly to their rights. The foundational principles protecting human life and dignity—such as the right to health, work, social security, and an adequate standard of living—implicitly encompass the rights of the elderly.

International Law:
International humanitarian law and international human rights law are two distinct yet complementary branches that both seek to protect life, health, and human dignity. International humanitarian law applies during armed conflicts, while human rights law applies at all times, in both peace and war.
The Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) and its primary objective—protecting civilians during armed conflicts and preventing indiscriminate attacks—are of particular importance. It emphasizes that the right of belligerents to choose means and methods of warfare is not absolute but is restricted by the need to respect civilian life. All the Hague Regulations of 1899 and 1907 and the Geneva Conventions apply to armed conflicts and occupations, explicitly prohibiting attacks on civilians. Parties to a conflict are thus obligated to take necessary measures to shield civilians from the effects of warfare. This protection is enshrined in the Fourth Geneva Convention’s provisions regarding the protection of civilians during war.
Furthermore, Articles 50 and 51 of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions (1977) specifically protect civilians, including the elderly.
Customary international law, as set out in Rule 138, states that the elderly, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups affected by armed conflict are entitled to special respect and protection.

Conclusion:
During the ongoing genocide waged by Israel on the Gaza Strip, the elderly have been subjected to systematic and severe violations of their fundamental rights—a flagrant breach of international humanitarian law, the Fourth Geneva Convention protecting civilians in armed conflicts, and the Third Convention, which safeguards detainees and non-combatants.
These violations target the elderly directly and indirectly through indiscriminate shelling, forcible displacement, siege, denial of healthcare, and deprivation of food and water. Their basic human rights—including the right to life, health, dignity, shelter, and security—have been undermined.
These abuses have not only devastated the physical and psychological well-being of the elderly but have also fractured the social and cultural fabric of Palestinian society. The younger generations have lost their connection to the elders, who traditionally serve as custodians of heritage and community values. The deliberate neglect of the elderly’s needs deepens their sense of isolation and marginalization, reflecting a complete failure to provide the legal protection they are due under international law in armed conflicts. The continued impunity for these violations is a blatant breach of international humanitarian law and human rights.

The report calls on the international community to act urgently to ensure the protection of the elderly in Gaza—a humanitarian, moral, and legal responsibility that must be prioritized by all concerned parties to guarantee justice and dignity, especially for those who have endured repeated catastrophes and bear the compounded burdens of conflict and war.

Outcomes of the Violations of the Elderly’s Rights:

  1. An increased mortality rate among the elderly due to indiscriminate shelling, harsh living conditions, unsafe environments following displacement, and the loss of basic life necessities.
  2. A deterioration in both the physical and mental health of the elderly—particularly those with chronic illnesses—stemming from inadequate healthcare services, leading to exacerbation of diseases, increased susceptibility to complications and death, and the onset of psychological trauma (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder) caused by the loss of loved ones, property, and exposure to violence.
  3. A decline in the economic condition of the elderly, which increases their poverty and dependency on humanitarian aid, thereby undermining their independence and exposing them to abuse and neglect, with resultant risks of hunger, disease, and further marginalization.
  4. The breakdown of social structures and the erosion of the societal roles of the elderly, resulting in a loss of knowledge and expertise that they traditionally contribute as guardians of culture and identity. This has disrupted the transmission of cultural and historical values to younger generations.
  5. A loss of confidence in international laws and institutions due to their failure to protect the elderly during the war or to guarantee their economic and social rights, further deepening feelings of inequality and institutional weakness.

Recommendations:
The violations against the elderly during the ongoing genocide create deep crises on both personal and societal levels. Urgent humanitarian interventions and sustainable policies are required to protect this vulnerable group and ensure they have a dignified standard of living during and after conflict. General and urgent recommendations include:

  1. Immediate Cessation of Hostilities: The international community must pressure Israel to halt its shelling and military aggression on the Gaza Strip, ensuring the protection of civilians, including the elderly.
  2. Securing Humanitarian Aid Access: Efforts should be made to open crossings and allow unhindered entry of humanitarian aid—especially focusing on the provision of food, medications, and healthcare for the elderly.
  3. Provision of Adequate Healthcare: Reconstruct and build healthcare facilities, supply them with necessary medications and equipment, and ensure that elderly patients—especially those with chronic illnesses—receive the care they need.
  4. Offering Psychological and Social Support: Provide psychological and social support services to elderly individuals affected by the war, helping them cope with trauma and the challenges they face.
  5. Ensuring Accountability: Investigate the violations committed against the elderly and hold the responsible parties accountable to prevent recurrence and protect human rights.

Specialized Recommendations:

  1. Develop long-term policies and strategies specifically designed to protect the elderly by enacting legislation that reinforces their rights and ensures their protection during conflicts.
  2. Prepare comprehensive national response plans that address the needs of the elderly during conflicts, including providing safe shelters and access to essential services.
  3. Develop sustainable and specialized healthcare services through the establishment of dedicated care centers and mobile health units focused on the elderly, including the provision of medications for chronic conditions, specialized vaccinations, early screening programs, and necessary medical supplies.
  4. Enhance psychological support by implementing rehabilitation programs and offering group or individual counseling sessions for elderly individuals affected by war and displacement, with the involvement of international mental health experts.
  5. Promote sound nutrition and food security by allocating food packages tailored to the needs of the elderly and collaborating with international organizations to ensure continuous food supply.
  6. Rebuild community bonds through social support programs, reinvigorate the societal roles of the elderly, and empower them to participate in decision-making processes to ensure their effective integration and the restoration of their cultural and social roles.

  Thaer Kamal Al-Ghussein

  Lawyer and human rights activist, focused on defending Palestinian rights and raising awareness of Israeli violations.