The tensions between Israel and Palestine are worsening day by day. The ongoing war on Gaza by Israel which they have termed as their ‘retaliation’ to the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas has rendered thousands of children in the Gaza Strip homeless, starving, and orphans. The occupation has killed more than 12,000 Palestinian children from Gaza in the past six months, according to the Ministry of Health.
So far Israel has been blatantly ignoring the orders of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) regarding a complete ceasefire in Gaza to protect humanity.
On 25th March, the Council adopted the resolution by a vote of 14 in favor (none against), with one abstention (United States). “By its terms, it demanded an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties, leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire. It also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs.” as reported on the website of the United Nations.
No cognizance of the above resolution has been shown by Israel rather the death and violence tolls have only escalated since then. Recently, Israel also targeted the World Central Kitchen killing 7 of its workers in an airstrike which they claimed was ‘unintentional’.
Thousands of children in Gaza lost one or both of their legs in the war
Over 200 children in detention by Israel, says prisoner groups
On 5th April which is celebrated as Palestinian Children Day, the Palestinian Prisoner Support and Human right Association -Addameer released a statement wherein they claimed, “Today, the occupation detains more than 200 Palestinian children in its prisons, including Ofer, Megiddo, and Damon. After October 7th, the Israeli occupation forces have arrested more than 500 Palestinian children. It’s worth noting that the number of child prisoners before October 7th did not reach this number, which indicates the occupation’s use of punitive and oppressive policies against children during wars and uprisings”.
Explaining the excruciating treatment in Prisons, it said that even the children weren’t exempted from it. It quoted that “Statistics and documented testimonies from child detainees indicate that the majority of detained children have been subjected to one or more forms of physical and psychological torture through a series of systematic and illegal methods, violating international laws, norms, and conventions regarding children’s rights“.
Past oppressions on Children under Israeli rule
As per a report of a press release published on the website of United Nations Human Rights, it’s been declared that “From 2008 until 6 October 2023, 1,434 Palestinian children were reportedly killed, with an additional 32,175 sustaining injuries, primarily at the hands of Israeli occupation forces. Of these, 1,025 children were killed in Gaza alone, since the unlawful blockade began in 2007. During the same timeframe, 25 Israeli children were killed, mostly by Palestinian assailants, and 524 were injured. Between 2019 and 2022, 1,679 Palestinian children and 15 Israeli children sustained lasting physical injuries, leaving many permanently disabled.”
They also added that “An average of 500-700 Palestinian children are reported to be detained by Israeli occupation forces each year, with an estimated 13,000 mostly arbitrarily detained, interrogated, tried in military courts, and imprisoned since 2000.”
Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, in a report to the General Assembly has stated, “The oppression and trauma suffered by Palestinian children, half of the Palestinian population under Israeli rule, is a unique stain on the international community,”.
She also added, “Generations of Palestinian children, whether in the besieged Gaza Strip, the West Bank enclaves or annexed east Jerusalem, have seen their lives reduced to the bare minimum and, far too often, cut short as expendable,” Albanese said. “This is profoundly “unhiding”: it takes away the lightness of childhood and robs children of their future,”.
The experts have quoted, “We must understand the devastating impact of Israel’s occupation and ever-expanding colonial presence on generations of Palestinian children”.
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