Israel marks 1,000 days since the Oct. 7 attacks, and children across the country are beginning their summer vacation while still coping with the psychological fallout of nearly three years of conflict.
In Kibbutz Eilon, a community just over a mile from the Lebanese border, a mother hopes her three children can finally enjoy a normal summer after months spent indoors in front of screens.
She recalls that during the pandemic and successive wars, school attendance was repeatedly interrupted, forcing families to restart routines as classes halted and then resumed.
Despite these disruptions, her daughter completed high school with the help of private tutoring, while her son, diagnosed with attention‑deficit disorder, will move to a smaller classroom next year to receive additional support.
Another family from Kibbutz Yiftah, evacuated a day after the Oct. 7 attacks, changed schools three times, and faced a six‑week school closure during the recent conflict with Iran.
The parents emphasize shielding their children from the surge of global antisemitism, focusing instead on travel as a hopeful and uplifting experience.
A developmental psychologist notes that trauma remains widespread among Israeli youth, with more than 25,000 children officially recognized as victims of hostile acts and a study indicating that 84 % exhibit signs of emotional distress.
Symptoms manifest in diverse ways, ranging from loss of speech and bed‑wetting to nervous tics, as children often act out war‑related fears through play.
One case involved a girl who could no longer ride a bicycle because she constantly checked over her shoulder for unseen threats.
While summer breaks can provide temporary relief, prolonged interruptions to routine may reinforce anxiety; stability is essential for children to feel safe.
Travel itself can be a trigger, as crowded, noisy environments may echo missile alerts and revive traumatic memories, turning a vacation into a source of stress.
The Ministry of Education will keep schools operating throughout the summer, serving roughly 1.12 million students with an investment of about $270 million, and introducing middle‑school programs focused on artificial intelligence, STEM, mathematics, science, and English.
Emotional‑support services, including counseling and a dedicated hotline, will remain available to address students’ mental‑health needs during the break.
Summer camps organized by a support organization will host more than 400 children who have lost immediate family members, providing a setting to build resilience and process grief.
Camp activities blend sports, swimming, and therapeutic group dialogues, culminating in a night where participants share personal stories and celebrate with a concert.
Bringing together children who share similar losses creates a therapeutic community, helping them feel understood and reducing the isolation that often follows trauma.
