Children in Gaza are living in a catastrophic humanitarian situation due to the blockade and the war of extermination waged by the Israeli occupation, which has led to the collapse of basic services in the Strip.
According to recent data of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 2,500 children in Gaza need urgent medical evacuation to save their lives, which means that they are facing an unprecedented medical and humanitarian crisis, as children are the group most affected by the tragic conditions in the Strip.
The suffering of children in Gaza has been multiplied since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, as UNICEF reports indicate that 30% of children in Gaza suffer from severe malnutrition due to the collapse in the health system and the difficulty of accessing food as a result of the blockade imposed for years.
The shortage of basic medicines and medical equipment has also exacerbated the suffering of injured children, especially those who suffer from severe injuries as a result of recent military attacks.
The war of extermination destroyed 95% of the schools that sheltered the displaced and deprived the children of their basic right to education and safe shelter.
This is only part of the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, where health and educational facilities are no longer able to meet the needs of the population, especially the most vulnerable groups.
Children in Gaza are not only suffering from physical damage, but also from psychological trauma due to the loss of their family, exposure to destruction, and lack of security.
Field studies show that children in areas witnessing ongoing conflicts face high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, threatening their future and ability to live a normal life.
The situation in Gaza contradicts international obligations stipulated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which guarantees children’s rights to life, health, education, and protection from violence. However, children in Gaza are systematically deprived of these rights, which exposes the international failure to protect the most vulnerable groups in conflict areas.
The children of Gaza will be facing a dark future unless serious steps are taken to save them from the current crisis. Providing medical evacuation, rebuilding schools and health facilities, and lifting the blockade are essential steps to ensure a dignified life for them.
