Gaza reports of forced and child marriage surge amid humanitarian crisis

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports a sharp increase in gender-based violence in the Gaza Strip, specifically noting a 123% rise in reported cases of early and forced marriage during the second quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter. The data, which includes testimonies from 230 women in Gaza City and Khan Younis, indicates that girls aged 12 to 17 are increasingly being subjected to these practices.

Humanitarian officials attribute this surge to the collapse of social structures, extreme poverty, and widespread displacement caused by the ongoing conflict. Testimonies reveal that some families are arranging marriages to secure food or shelter, with one report noting a father married off his 14-year-old daughter in exchange for flour.

Additionally, the displacement of approximately 1.2 million Palestinians into makeshift shelters and tents has exacerbated safety risks. Overcrowding, lack of privacy, and inadequate sanitation have created environments where women and girls face escalating risks of violence and abuse.