The conflict between Israel and Gaza has taken a heavy toll on the most vulnerable members of society – children. According to a Palestinian non-governmental organization (NGO), a tragic statistic emerges: a child loses their life approximately every 15 minutes in the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. This stark reality underscores the profound impact the ongoing war has on children.
The conflict began on October 7 in response to a deadly Hamas attack. Since then, more than 100 children have lost their lives every day. The total death toll among Palestinians has exceeded 3,400, making this the deadliest Israeli assault in decades. A spokesperson for The Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCIP) aptly describes the situation as a "genocide in real time."
Regrettably, even the initial incident that triggered the current crisis claimed the lives of children on both sides. Fourteen children were reported among the 1,400 Israeli victims of the October 7 Hamas attack. Moreover, roughly 200 people captured by Hamas include children. Israel, however, has not released comprehensive data on the demographics of those affected by this attack.
Now, you might be wondering if international laws meant to protect children in times of war are being upheld. The answer is that these protections do indeed exist. International rules governing armed conflicts, established under the Geneva Conventions in 1949, clearly stipulate that children must be safeguarded and treated humanely. It's notable that Israel ratified these conventions in 1951, a few years after the Holocaust claimed the lives of over one and a half million Jewish children in Europe.
Despite these clear international guidelines, Israel justifies its disproportionate use of military force in Gaza as a legitimate means to combat Hamas. They argue that civilian casualties, including those of children, are not considered war crimes under this framework.
The war's impact on children is not limited to the tragic loss of life. Parents like Esra Abu Ghazzah are struggling to console their children amidst the bombings and destruction. Esra, a 30-year-old mother, shared her distressing experience with Al Jazeera. She mentioned that her eight and two-year-old children have started vomiting in response to the air strikes and are now wetting the bed, both signs of heightened fear.
Tragically, the Abu Ghazzah children are just a small part of the larger issue. A staggering 95 percent of Palestinian children in Gaza are living with the profound psychological effects of war. The ongoing conflict continues to take a heavy toll on the innocent, reminding the world of the urgent need for a peaceful resolution and the protection of all children, regardless of their circumstances.
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