Friday, October 20, 2023
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has taken a devastating toll on children, with one child killed every 15 minutes due to Israeli bombings, according to a Palestinian non-profit organization.
More than 100 children have been martyred every day since Israeli airstrikes on the besieged Palestinian enclave began on October 7, making it one of the deadliest Israeli attacks in a decade, claiming over 3,400 Palestinian lives.
A spokesman for The Defense for Children International - Palestine (DCIP) described the situation as "genocide in real time". It is important to note that at least 14 children were among the 1,400 Israeli victims of the October 7 Hamas attack, and roughly 200 people were captured by Hamas, including children. However, Israel has not released data on the demographics of those martyred in this attack.
International laws and conventions, such as the Geneva Conventions of 1949, are intended to protect children during armed conflict and mandate that they be protected and treated humanely. Israel ratified these conventions in 1951, partly in response to the Holocaust, which saw the tragic loss of more than one and a half million Jewish children in Europe.
However, Israel does not recognize the 4th Geneva Convention, which is supposed to protect civilians fighting the occupation, because it does not consider Palestine an occupied territory.
Israel says its disproportionate use of military force in Gaza is a legitimate means of fighting Hamas, and says the deaths of civilians, including children, do not constitute war crimes. This position has caused widespread discussion and criticism in the international community.
The impact of the ongoing war on children is deeply disturbing. Parents in Gaza like Esra Abu Ghazzah face the challenge of comforting their children in the midst of bombardment and destruction.
Many children experience physical and psychological distress, including vomiting and bedwetting, as a response to increased fear.
A staggering 95% of Palestinian children in Gaza are living with the psychological effects of war, according to a research study by Palestinian psychologist Dr. Iman Farajallah. Such experiences can lead to emotional and behavioral problems such as restlessness, regression or aggression.
In addition, schools were severely affected, with education taking a back seat as schools were converted into makeshift shelters. The United Nations is currently sheltering approximately 400,000 displaced Gazans in its schools and other facilities. Unfortunately, several schools have suffered damage from Israeli bombings, resulting in casualties.
Inadequate access to basic resources such as food and water further exacerbates children's suffering. A total blockade imposed by Israel has prevented food and water from entering Gaza, and although some water supplies have been restored, electricity shortages persist, making water distribution a challenge.
This situation puts children at higher risk of dehydration and malnutrition. Poor water hygiene also increases the likelihood of diarrheal diseases, the leading cause of child mortality in children under five worldwide.
The long-term consequences of this conflict are devastating. Even those who survive will have to learn how to survive without their family members, as the situation is being called a "war on children." The psychological impact on civilians and, more importantly, children is expected to be catastrophic.
In light of these dire circumstances, various international humanitarian organizations, including Save the Children and UNICEF, are urgently calling for a ceasefire to protect children and families in Gaza. The international community recognizes the need to protect children from harm in times of conflict and emphasizes that children must always be protected and should never become victims of war.
