International Youth Day 2024

Commemorated annually on August 12th, International Youth Day exists to raise awareness about the issues facing young people across the globe. In honor of the occasion, we want to shine a light on young people who are using poetry to process the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the ongoing decimation of Gaza. Below are selections of poetry from young people grappling with the toll of this ongoing conflict. Join us in reflecting on the impact of such violence and destruction on Gaza’s youth population.

One of the heartbreaking poems included here was authored by Fatema Saidam, a 9-year-old resident of Gaza, in October of last year. Tragically, Fatema was killed in an Israeli airstrike days after writing this piece. Our hearts go out to Fatema, her family, and the entirety of Gaza’s civilian population, who continue to bear the brunt of this brutal conflict.