In the aftermath of the recent conflict in Gaza, a notable increase in mental health challenges among Palestinians in the West Bank has been reported by healthcare professionals. Clinical psychologist Maram Nemer, specializing in women and children from rural Hebron villages, notes a peculiar symptom described by her patients – a strange taste in the mouth. Despite finding no physical abnormalities upon examination, Nemer attributes these sensations to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), believed to be triggered by the Gaza war.
Ronit Zimmer, CEO of Project Rozana, an international NGO collaborating with Nemer as part of the Women4Women program, explains that these symptoms are physiological manifestations of the fear and anxiety induced by the conflict. The ongoing mental health crisis, exacerbated by the war, has prompted concerns from experts who argue that traditional frameworks may be inadequate in addressing the acute challenges faced by the affected population.
The toll on mental health is particularly pronounced in the West Bank, where Women4Women operates mobile health clinics providing free healthcare to women and children. Since October, the program has experienced a significant surge in patients, increasing from 500 to 2,000 monthly. Zimmer attributes this surge to heightened security checkpoints, road closures, and job losses in the occupied territories, preventing Palestinians from accessing healthcare.
Amany Abu Asabeh, coordinator of the Women4Women program, notes a prevailing sense of guilt among patients who still have access to food and water, contrasting with the dire conditions in Gaza. The constant fear of the war spreading to the West Bank, coupled with a heavy military presence, has created a pervasive atmosphere of anxiety, overthinking, and insomnia among the population. These psychological stresses manifest physically, with patients reporting sensations such as jitters, strange smells and tastes, and a pervasive lack of energy.
Clinical psychologist Abed Alkareem Asherah, part of the Women4Women initiative, highlights instances of mothers reporting concerning behavior in their children, including a fascination with watching the news or reenacting war scenarios. Some children experience prolonged nightmares depicting soldiers invading their homes. Asherah notes that certain patients exhibit behavior indicative of clinical obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), such as repeated checks to ensure doors and windows are secure.
Zimmer emphasizes the need for carefully planned and executed mental health interventions, as physical examinations often reveal psychological wounds resulting from a breakdown in defense mechanisms triggered by traumatic events. As the conflict in Gaza continues to impact the mental well-being of Palestinians, healthcare professionals are navigating new and urgent challenges in providing adequate support.
