Targeting children and civilians constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian laws, foremost among them the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, which obliges states to protect children from harm during armed conflicts, and the Geneva Conventions that prohibit disproportionate attacks causing excessive harm to civilians.
In this context, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has confirmed that an average of 35 children are killed daily as a result of the ongoing Israeli genocide war in the Gaza Strip since October 2023.
According to statements by the organization’s spokesperson, James Elder, the total number of children who have lost their lives since the beginning of the Israeli assault has reached approximately 15,000 children.
As per an analysis published by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), around 15 children are left with permanent disabilities daily, including limb amputations and hearing impairments, due to the Israeli army’s use of explosive weapons in residential areas during 2024.
The analysis indicated that 475 children suffer severe injuries monthly that may last a lifetime.
UNRWA stated that the extent of injuries among children reflects the nature of attacks involving internationally prohibited weapons, resulting in long-term psychological and physical harm to the victims and worsening the suffering of Palestinian families living in dire humanitarian conditions due to the continuous blockade.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been exacerbated by the famine resulting from the Israeli blockade and widespread infrastructure destruction. According to UN data, the famine has claimed the lives of dozens of children and elderly individuals, amidst severe shortages of food, water, and healthcare. The number of missing persons has exceeded 11,000, further complicating the humanitarian crisis.
Despite repeated international condemnations, the international community faces criticism for failing to take practical steps to halt the crimes against civilians in Gaza, making the continued killing of children and destruction of their future a stain on humanity’s conscience.
