A new academic commentary examines the psychological trauma endured by children abducted during the Hamas attack on Israel, with a focus on the forced separation of 3-year-old identical twins. Drawing on decades of research into child development and twin studies, the authors shed light on the unique emotional toll of severed family bonds during wartime. They urge professional organizations and the international community to treat family reunification not only as a humanitarian goal, but as a critical component of psychological recovery for children exposed to war.
A new academic commentary published in the International Journal on Child Maltreatment draws attention to one of the most painful and complex dimensions of the ongoing Hamas-Israel war: the abduction of children, the forced separation of families, and the deep psychological consequences for the youngest victims.
Co-authored by Prof. Ariel Knafo-Noam of the Psychology Department at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Prof. Nancy L. Segal of the Psychology Department and Twin Studies Center at California State University, Fullerton, the article focuses on the case of 3-year-old identical twin girls who were abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The twins were taken from their home in southern Israel and held separately for ten days before they were finally reunited—after their mother, also held hostage, recognized her missing daughter’s cry from another room.
The authors argue that this case highlights the profound psychological harm caused by the separation of twins—who often share the closest bond human beings can experience—and sheds light on the broader effects of child abduction during war. “This is not just a story about trauma,” explains Prof. Segal. “It’s a story about the rupture of the earliest, deepest relationships we form in life. When those bonds are torn apart—especially in violent, chaotic settings—it leaves deep emotional wounds.”
Drawing on extensive research from twin studies, child development, and trauma psychology, the commentary outlines the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral consequences of such separations. Young children may struggle with nightmares, anxiety, and extreme emotional reactions. The trauma is compounded when a twin is involved, due to the singular closeness and interdependence often observed in identical twin relationships.
Prof. Knafo-Noam noted: “As researchers and as people, we were deeply affected by this story. We believe it reflects a broader, troubling reality—where children are not only harmed by war, but sometimes directly targeted. That should never be normalized.”
The article situates this case within the larger context of the war's impact on children in both Israel and Gaza, where many minors have been exposed to violence, loss, displacement, and terror. The authors point to psychological studies showing that wartime trauma can leave lasting scars, particularly when children are separated from parents or siblings, or exposed to extreme conditions in captivity.
As of today, the twins’ father remained in captivity, and nearly 100 children in Israel were still forcibly separated from at least one parent. The authors call on international child welfare organizations and humanitarian bodies to speak out more clearly about the harms caused by such separations—and to treat reunification and trauma recovery for these children as a global moral imperative.
“We must ensure that emotional support and psychological healing are seen as essential forms of aid—not secondary to food or shelter, but part of what it means to truly protect children,” said Prof. Segal.
In their conclusion, the authors stress that while this case involves identical twins, the harm of family separation in war extends to all children. They advocate for long-term research and support systems for affected families, and for a deeper acknowledgment of the emotional toll borne by children exposed to war and captivity.