An aid organization, Save the Children, has raised concerns over the indiscriminate killing of minors in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. According to the charity, at least 2,000 children have lost their lives during the past 17 days of Israel’s bombardment. These figures were obtained from the Hamas-operated Health Ministry in Gaza, which reported that a total of 5,087 people have been killed so far, including 2,055 children. Save the Children also highlighted the extensive damage caused to infrastructure in Gaza, with thousands of homes, playgrounds, schools, hospitals, churches, and mosques being damaged or destroyed. The charity further emphasized that over 4,600 children have suffered injuries, some of them with severe burns, lost limbs, and other traumatic blast injuries.
In addition to the children killed in Gaza, the aid organization also mentioned reports from Israeli media stating that an additional 27 children were killed in Israel. These statistics highlight the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on innocent lives on both sides.
The Israeli airstrikes have been accused of killing and injuring children indiscriminately by Save the Children. The targeting of minors raises serious concerns about the violation of international humanitarian laws and the protection of civilians, especially children, during armed conflicts.
The escalation of violence began when Hamas launched a surprise incursion into Israeli territory on October 7, prompting an unprecedented bombardment of Gaza by Israel. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,400 people, mostly civilians, with reports of Hamas fighters holding an estimated 250 hostages. In response, pressure has been mounting on Hamas to release any captives held in Gaza, leading to the recent release of two elderly female Israeli hostages.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to eradicate Hamas and is expected to launch a ground offensive in Gaza in the near future. This has raised concerns about further loss of civilian lives, particularly among children who are already at risk and terrified. Save the Children’s Jason Lee emphasized the grave consequences of such violence on children’s mental health, as they have historically suffered long-term impacts from previous escalations of hostilities.
Save the Children is calling for an immediate ceasefire, stating that the only way to protect children’s lives is to halt the ongoing violence. The aid organization further warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, highlighting that over 1 million children are trapped in the conflict zone without a safe route to escape. Moreover, the lack of access to medication and adequate healthcare due to the shutdown of vital infrastructure, including electricity, poses a significant risk to their well-being.
The situation in Gaza demands urgent attention and action to protect the lives of innocent children caught in the midst of the conflict. The international community, including governments and humanitarian organizations, must work together to ensure the immediate implementation of a ceasefire and the provision of essential aid and support to those affected by the violence. Efforts should focus on safeguarding the well-being of children and preventing further loss of life in this devastating crisis.
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