Purpose This study aims to explore the effect of ongoing traumatic experiences and displacement on sleep disturbance in war-affected populations, focusing on displaced women and children in Gaza during the genocide. Design/methodology/approach The study used semi-structured interviews with 30 Palestinian refugee women in the city of Rafah, who were recruited through purposive snowball sampling. Findings The study highlights how the ongoing hyperarousal caused by war–trauma-disrupted sleep, worsening post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and emotional dysregulation. Displacement introduces additional stress, making recovery even more difficult. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to examine the effects of war-related trauma and displacement experiences on sleep disturbances among Gaza-displaced women and children. The study emphasizes the necessity for mental health and health-care interventions to address the challenging conditions and prolonged trauma within the Palestinian context.
Hamamra et al. (2025) studied this question.