The study was conducted by Mr. Munther Saeedi and Dr. Oqab Jabali from the Faculty of Humanities, and Dr. Fakher Khalili, Head of the Department of Psychology and Counseling at An-Najah. It explores the impact of the 2023 Gaza War on identity, resilience, and the meaning of life among Palestinian university students, emphasizing how the war reshaped individuals’ perceptions of themselves and their social roles under occupation.

Findings reveal a transformation in the understanding of resilience and identity toward a deeper collective and cultural dimension, as well as a redefinition of life’s meaning in the context of war, loss, and survival. The study highlights the vital role of education and social belonging in enhancing young people’s ability to persevere and find purpose despite adversity.

The researchers conclude that Palestinian resilience is not merely a reaction to oppression, but a continuous process of rebuilding identity and meaning amid the realities of occupation and conflict. This work stands as a powerful contribution to Palestinian scholarship documenting the human and national experience of resilience and identity reconstruction in times of war.

Read the full study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105312