After the ceasefire: the psychological battle does not end

Written by: Dr. Samah Gabr, Psychiatric Consultant

When the sounds of shelling stop and the guns fall silent in Gaza, some people think that the suffering is over. But the painful truth is that the end of the aggression does not mean the end of the pain. Rather, the survivors begin a new phase of confrontation, confronting the psychological wounds that accumulated during the days of the aggression, but were not given the opportunity to appear amidst the preoccupation with survival and survival.

Psychological suffering under bombardment

During war, the focus is on resilience. Children running to shelters with unanswered questions in their eyes, women protecting their children with words and prayers and trying hard to hide their fear. Men, for their part, struggle to provide for themselves and whatever safety they can in circumstances beyond their means.

In these difficult moments, doctors and psychologists try to provide support amidst the bombardment, but the challenges are enormous. There are not enough safe spaces, resources are limited, and sometimes reaching victims can be life-threatening for the therapists themselves. The support provided is temporary, more like a quick bandage to stop the bleeding of pain than to treat it.

When the real pain begins after the war

As the aggression ends, survivors find themselves confronted with a new reality. Children who have lived in fear become more prone to nightmares and insomnia, women who have borne the burden of war begin to suffer from a delayed psychological breakdown. Men feel the burden of loss or helplessness in rebuilding what was destroyed.

Psychological symptoms gradually begin to appear: sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, social isolation, and excessive anxiety. The entire society lives in a state of collective trauma, where the effects of psychological warfare become part of daily life.

Impact on the social fabric

We know that wars do not only affect individuals, but also strike at the very fabric of society. Repeated aggression can erode social bonds that once formed a society’s first bulwark against crises. Loss of loved ones and forced displacement weakens family relationships and creates psychological gaps between survivors. Feelings of helplessness and despair can push some to isolate themselves or resort to negative behaviors that affect social cohesion, such as domestic violence or addiction.

The intense psychological pressures can also exacerbate divisions within society, with some feeling let down by the world and the political or social system, creating a sense of mutual mistrust. These effects are not limited to wartime, but extend over many years, requiring intensive efforts to rebuild social relationships and restore a sense of belonging and solidarity. Addressing these societal wounds is an essential part of the comprehensive psychological recovery journey in Gaza.

Lessons from history

History is full of examples of how the psychological impact of war does not end when the fighting ends. In Europe after World War II, people took years to process the trauma of the destruction. In Bosnia, the psychological effects of war continued for decades after the conflict ended. In Gaza itself, studies after the 2014 Israeli aggression showed that children who had lost their homes or loved ones were the most affected by long-term psychological disorders.

What's next?

After a ceasefire, providing comprehensive and sustainable psychological support programmes becomes a top priority. This support cannot be limited to individual assistance, but must include the entire community. Community centres can be a safe haven for children to play and express themselves, and for women and men to receive group support that helps them regain their psychological balance.

Training local cadres of doctors and psychotherapists is an essential step in building long-term capacity within the community. Arts and theatre can also be effective tools for expressing trauma, something Palestinians have proven capable of using to strengthen their collective resilience.

The challenges we face

Of course, the road is not easy. Scarce resources, the ongoing occupation, and political divisions make psychological work a great challenge. But the biggest challenge lies in changing social perceptions about mental health, and conveying the message that psychotherapy is not a luxury but an absolute necessity for regaining life.

The pulse of life from the ruins

Psychotherapy after a ceasefire is not just a tool to relieve pain, but a window to rebuild the spirit and revive hope in souls. In Gaza, steadfastness is not only in the face of destruction, but in the ability of the Palestinian person to stand up again, no matter how deep the wound. When psychological wounds heal, life pulsates in the veins, and souls become stronger than all attempts at obliteration and oppression.

Healing the soul is the beginning of healing the nation, and the nation that heals the wounds of its soul will never be defeated.