Needs of displaced Palestinian women in the Gaza strip: Social work responses

This qualitative case study explores the lived experiences of Palestinian women repeatedly forcibly displaced during Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip and examines the social work response to their needs amid a prolonged humanitarian crisis. Data were collected between June and August 2025 through semi-structured interviews with 40 displaced women living in Deir al-Balah and Al-Mawasi in Khan Younis and 10 social workers employed by non-governmental organizations. Thematic analysis, supported by NVivo software, identified the main factors shaping women’s experiences, focusing on basic, psychological, and social needs. Findings show that healthcare, food, and clean water were the most urgent basic needs, while emotional support, a sense of safety, and relief from stress and anxiety were the most pressing psychological concerns. Community solidarity and family support emerged as essential sources of resilience despite repeated displacement. Social workers reported that severe resource shortages, security threats, cultural sensitivity challenges, and overwhelming workloads significantly limited their ability to deliver essential services. The study concludes that effective social work in war and forced displacement must address immediate humanitarian needs while recognizing the political realities, structural inequalities, and human rights violations shaping displaced women’s experiences and access to protection.