The study’s findings reveal a clear link between ongoing exposure to news about the Gaza assault and higher levels of depression and anxiety among students, alongside decreased academic motivation, reflecting the psychological burden faced by Palestinian youth in a media environment saturated with distressing events. The results also highlighted demographic differences across gender, fields of study, and academic levels, indicating the need for targeted support programs that consider these variables.

The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with the development of the Tracking Gaza Assault News Scale (TGANS), along with a sectional survey of 624 students, making it one of the most comprehensive studies in this field. The findings underscore the need to strengthen mental health and academic support services for university students, especially given the exceptional circumstances facing Palestinian society.

This distinguished research was conducted by a team from An-Najah University, including Dr. Fakher Khalili from the Department of Psychology and Counseling, Dr. Oqab Jabali and Mr. Munther Saeedi from the Language Center, and Dr. Shaden Jabali, a postgraduate student at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

An-Najah University takes pride in this scientific achievement, which contributes to a deeper understanding of the impact of crises on students’ mental health and reinforces the University’s role in producing knowledge that reflects Palestinian realities and supports community well-being.