Some were killed, despite my attempt to save them. And since everyone loves children, it was argued that these patients were killed for the sake of protecting children from their bad example. The world watched in amazement, seeing youngsters not only confront, but even draw Israeli soldiers into battle. In our culture, children are fortunate in not being stigmatised or ostracised when they require psychiatric help. For to consult a psychiatrist in Gaza can be a risky business.
Many people still believe that mental illness is a form of bewitchment or evil possession.
One curious phenomenon that emerged during the Intifada was the marked increase of spiritual healers and fortune tellers, also of those who dealt in black magic. People who had become extremely stressed as a result of life under occupation went to them, feeling they could provide them with magical remedies. Fortunately, children were spared such reasoning, and were brought in for psychiatric treatment. Many factors contributed to children involvement in the Intifada. In Gaza refugee camps, an average child of twelve will belong to a large family, and have at least seven siblings.