Majority of Brits say Gaza is ‘unsafe’ for children despite ceasefire agreement – SOS Children’s Villages

Despite the ceasefire announcement in October, the majority of the British public still don’t think Gaza is safe for children, according to Yougov polling released today by SOS Children’s Villages UK, a charity supporting children and young people without, or at risk of losing parental care in more than 130 countries worldwide.

According to the polling, nearly 9 in 10 (89%) agree that Gaza is unsafe for children, while 7 in 10 (70%) people do not think the West Bank is a safe place for children.¹ 

SOS Children’s Villages works in both Gaza and the West Bank, supporting children from childhood to young adulthood in a variety of ways: from providing care in a family-like environment to children without alternative options, to programmes aimed at preventing families from breaking down, education, fostering and humanitarian aid.

When asked about the most important challenges facing children and young people in developing countries today, the most selected option amongst the British public was war and conflict, with close to a third (28%) agreeing it was a top challenge, rising to 2 in 5 (38%) of Brits aged over 65 .

Alison Wallace, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages UK, said, “Children growing up in Gaza have been through unimaginable horrors over the past two years.

“The focus now needs to be on creating a safe future for them to grow up in. But as it stands, despite the ceasefire announcement, this future is still out of reach. Children continue to be killed, and we all continue to bear witness to the tragedies that are unfolding in Gaza.

“It is therefore sadly unsurprising that the British public don’t think Gaza is safe for children, because it isn’t safe. We can’t let the world forget these children, and must continue to call on the UK government to do more to ensure we see lasting peace, once and for all.

“The thousands of children we support in Gaza deserve better than this, and we will continue to do everything possible to support them and fight for their best interests.”

On March 11, 2024, SOS Children’s Villages evacuated 68 children, along with 11 caregivers and their families, from the SOS Children’s Village in Rafah, Gaza, to the West Bank, due to the imminent threat of a ground attack. The evacuation was seen as a temporary measure to remove them from immediate danger. Since these children were evacuated, the SOS Children’s Village in Rafah has been entirely destroyed by bombardment.

Following the complete destruction of the SOS Children’s Village in Rafah, in Gaza, SOS Children’s Villages had to move its operation to an encampment in Khan Younis, where it has continued to provide support to unaccompanied and separated children and local families to this day. Despite the ceasefire announcement in October, children have continued to be killed in Gaza.²

Since the outbreak of war, SOS Children’s Villages Palestine has supported over 60,000 people, including 31,192 children in Gaza. The team has also been working to reunite separated and unaccompanied children with their families, having successfully reunited 115 children with their families of origin.

Reem AlReqeb, SOS Children’s Village’s Programme Director in Gaza, said, “Many people hoped that the ceasefire would finally bring relief to children in Gaza, a moment to breathe, to feel safe again. But on the ground, little has changed. Children are still waking up surrounded by destruction, living in tents that can’t protect them from the cold, and facing each day with the uncertainty of whether basic essentials like clean water, warmth, or medical care will be available.

“Even without the constant bombardment, fear hasn’t left them. Many children now panic at the sound of heavy rain, thunder, or the flash of lightning, every loud noise feels like a return of danger. The trauma has settled so deeply that even the weather can terrify them.

“In our encampment in Khan Younis, we see children trying to hold on to any sense of childhood, but the weight of fear and loss is still with them. Their eyes tell you that the danger hasn’t truly passed. They are tired, emotionally drained, and still searching for stability.

“The truth is that a ceasefire doesn’t make Gaza safe for children. It simply exposes how deep the needs still are. These children deserve more than survival, they deserve safety, comfort, and a future where they can heal.”

Ghada Hirzallah, SOS Children’s Villages Palestine National Director, who works in the West Bank, said, “Children in the West Bank as well are growing up amid uncertainty, fear, and escalating restrictions. Every day, their basic rights to safety, stability, and protection are interrupted.

“For us as humanitarian actors, reaching children with the support they urgently need has become increasingly challenging. Yet, despite the obstacles, our commitment to stand by them and to safeguard their right to a childhood remains unwavering.”

To find out more about the work SOS Children’s Villages is doing in Gaza, go to: Restoring hope for children in Gaza - SOS Children's Villages

-ENDS-

For interviews, photos or more information please contact media@sosuk.org 

Notes to editors

1. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,177 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 30th November - 1st December 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

2. UN reporting suggests at least 67 children have been killed since the ceasefire was announced: https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/11/1166420