Gaza Strip - December 09, 2024 A group of volunteers is offering vital psychological support in the Gaza Strip, bringing joy and relief to displaced children in the war-torn region. Having lingered on for over 14 months, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to devastate lives and livelihoods of Gazans, killing civilians, displacing families, and causing relentless mental disorders for survivors. Figure from the UNICEF -- an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide -- shows that the war in Gaza is taking a catastrophic toll on children. At least 14,000 children have reportedly been killed, and thousands more have been injured. Around 1.9 million people are estimated to have been internally displaced, and half of them children. Psychological worker Shadi Sobh is the head of a volunteer team providing psychological support to children in Gaza. He and other volunteers founded the group one year ago. Over the past year, despite the lasting conflict, the team has continued to travel across the region, organizing more than 300 activities for children in southern and central Gaza. Throughout this period, the team has also been torn apart by the war, with members being displaced or even losing their lives. The team has also consistently struggled with funding shortages. Yet none of these challenges have deterred them. On Monday, they organized an activity for children in central Gaza's Deir al-Balah. With the help of the volunteers, the children gathered at the square, performing traditional Palestinian dances and enjoying themselves. As of Tuesday, the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli strikes in Gaza had climbed to 44,786, according to Gaza-based health authorities. Shotlist: Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip - Dec 9, 2024: 1. Various of psychological worker Shadi Sobh, other volunteers playing with children; 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Shadi Sobh, psychological worker: "Each time we are displaced, it causes the team members to scatter. Some leave, while others join. But everyone shares the same goal, which is to provide psychological support for the children and create a positive environment for them."; 3. Various of Sobh talking with child on stage; 4. Various of children having their faces painted; 5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Masq Yassin, displaced child: "These activities have driven away all our negative feelings, and allowed us to temporarily escape the atmosphere of war, destruction, and displacement. We feel very happy, as if we have been freed from the shadow of war."; 6. Various of children dancing; 7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Sandos Zayed, displaced child (starting with shot 6) "In this war, which has lasted for more than a year, I have experienced a lot. We all hope to return to our home in northern Gaza. I am deeply saddened for those who have died, but this event has brought us joy once again."; 8. Various of children cheering, playing. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]