40% of children in Sderot, a city less than a mile from the Gaza Strip that is frequently attacked by rockets, experience symptoms of anxiety, fear, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a study published in The Jerusalem Post.
Hamas and other terrorist groups have fired thousands of rockets at Sderot in the last 20 years, with exorbitant numbers during the different wars experienced.
According to the study carried out by the Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem, some of the signs of PTSD, particularly among children are separation anxiety, regression to behaviors typical of earlier ages, difficulty sleeping, development of new fears, and anger problems.
The report shows the continuing impact of Hamas rocket fire on civilians in the cities on the outskirts of the Gaza Strip as some similar studies revealed that 75 percent of children aged 4 to 18 in Sderot suffered from PTSD.
“Children don’t always say things verbally. They don’t always talk about their fears directly. They show it through behavior and their developmental progress,” explained a hospital psychologist.
One of the first signs of the disorder is regression, with patients returning to behaviors appropriate for a younger child. A potty-trained child may have accidents, use a bottle or diaper, or start talking like a younger child.
Other manifestations may include fears that were not there before, even if they are not directly related to a triggering event, such as war, separation anxiety that was not there before, sleep problems, and anger issues.
“The important thing, first of all, is to notice if there is a change in the child’s behavior,” she explained.
Some fear going to the bathroom or taking a shower because of the possibility that a siren will sound alerting a missile attack and they will have to run to a bomb shelter with only 15 seconds to do so and others associate specific places with missile alerts, such as the boy who did not want to visit his grandmother because there was a warning siren on one visit and the place itself now generates anxiety.
“The ongoing situation in Sderot causes PTSD at a rate three or four times greater than that of the rest of the country,” experts says.
According to research from Herzog Hospital, the younger the child, the more vulnerable he is to the influence of his parents.
“If the situation affects the parents and the mother is depressed or post-traumatic herself, this strongly affects the child,” she explained. A parent dealing with his own trauma and anxiety is less able to calm his suffering child.
Our response to the need
Our City Of Life ministry is wholly committed to helping the children of our city who are the future of the country, and with the intention of bringing relief and comfort to their hearts we have organized with great effort a special recovery day in an amazing water park where children can relax, cool off and enjoy huge pools and giant water slides loaded with adrenaline and fun.
Many of these children do not have much chance in a year to get out of the tense environment of Sderot where they breathe an atmosphere of war most of the time, so being able to enjoy and have fun with other children in an amazing water park outside of Sderot leaving Putting aside the worries and stress generated by the insecurity situation, it will be the only time in the whole year that will allow them, even for a day, to forget about their pain and feel like any “normal child”.
As expected, this well-organized day featured a hearty meal for each child, surprises, and lots and lots of fun.
In the afternoon, when we returned from the tour, already on the buses, we could see the happy children, exhausted from so much playing and swimming, experiencing unusual peace in them, without a doubt a day that they will remember for the rest of the year.
Many appreciative parents told us that if it weren’t for this outing, their children might not have had another chance to enjoy their vacations and testified how blessed they feel to have our help and know that we are always there to give them our support and love.
Our role as the body of the Messiah is to bring hope to this lost world and illuminate in times of darkness creating an impact on society, so our ministry is committed to reaching as many people as possible who suffer, and many of them depend on our commitment and dedication for the work of the Lord.
You too can bless them and be part of this commitment of obedience to the Lord together with us by joining in our goal as there are still many families to reach with the help and together we can achieve it.
You can be part of and impact the lives of more people who need help in our city and together show them the way, the truth, and the life.
We invite you to be part of our ministry so that together we can bring hope to our border town of Sderot.
Our work would not be possible without the help of partners like you, so we ask you to consider in prayer the possibility of a monthly commitment that will allow us to continue with the Lord’s work here in Israel.
Sincerely yours
Pastors
Michael & Dina Beener
and CLM Israel Team
“City of Life”
Messianic congregation and Outreach Center
Sderot, Israel.
RECENT POSTS
- Biblical Autumn Feasts
This season, City of Life Ministries is continuing to provide food and practical assistance to families in need across southern Israel. Join us in Bringing God’s Provision to Families across southern… Read more: Biblical Autumn Feasts - Blessing Israeli Children as They Return to SchoolFor children across Israel, the start of a new school year is an exciting time. But for many families, especially those facing financial difficulties and the rising cost of living, preparing… Read more: Blessing Israeli Children as They Return to School
- Israelis Want Peace But Prepare for War: Stories from BeershebaDuring the last attacks from Iran, families in Beersheba experienced extreme fear firsthand as the city was one of the main targets by balistic missiles. Parents rushed with their children to… Read more: Israelis Want Peace But Prepare for War: Stories from Beersheba
- Israel’s Desert Blooms as New Jewish Families Return to Their HomelandThe return of Jewish people to Israel continues, even during challenging times. Families from around the world are choosing to make aliyah and begin a new chapter of their lives in… Read more: Israel’s Desert Blooms as New Jewish Families Return to Their Homeland
- Strengthening Young Believers Across the Negev Desert RegionThis summer, something truly special took place in southern Israel. With a vision to strengthen the next generation of young believers, City of Life Ministries organized a Youth Camp that brought… Read more: Strengthening Young Believers Across the Negev Desert Region
- Growing Up in the Shadow of ConflictFor many children living in the communities near the Gaza border, childhood has been shaped by experiences no child should have to carry. Born into a region marked by years of… Read more: Growing Up in the Shadow of Conflict
- A Prophetic Return: Jewish Immigrants Building Their Future in the NegevAcross the world, Jewish people continue returning to Israel, fulfilling the words of the prophets who spoke of God gathering His people back to the land of their fathers. Despite wars,… Read more: A Prophetic Return: Jewish Immigrants Building Their Future in the Negev
- Israeli Youth Find Healing in Learning MusicIn Sderot, near the Gaza border, children grow up surrounded by the reality of rocket threats, fear, and uncertainty. For many, this has led to anxiety and emotional wounds from a… Read more: Israeli Youth Find Healing in Learning Music
- Could Israel and Lebanon Become Peaceful Neighbours?In the Bible we see peaceful cooperation and trade between Israel and Lebanon during the time of Phoenician King Hiram of Tyre, who provided cedar wood and skilled workers for the… Read more: Could Israel and Lebanon Become Peaceful Neighbours?
