DEPRIVED OF CHILDHOOD: THE UNFORTUNATE GAZAN CHILDREN
Amidst Conflict and Despair, A Generation Deprived of Childhood in the Gaza Strip
Written By: Priyanka Katheria
( Total read time : 4 minutes )
What happens to Palestinian children born in the Gaza Strip?
Born in the Gaza Strip, an open-air jail, occupied by the Israeli Government, Palestinian children lose their childhood suffering from trauma, illness, and death. The access to basic needs is at a trickle.
BACKGROUND
One of the most crowded areas on Earth is the Gaza Strip; children's laughter echoes here just like it does everywhere else. But the laughter is short-lived, since the late 19th century. Everybody knows about Gaza as breaking news in these days of information, where we can get and consume news at the touch of our fingertips.
On 14th May 1948, Israel was created which sparked the very Arab- Israeli War. Israel won after a year, but 75,000 Palestinians had to flee their homes and the territory was divided into the State of Israel, the West Bank (beyond the Jordan River), and the Gaza Strip.
The people most affected by the conflict between Israel, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan were Palestinians. To end Israel's control of them and to create Palestine as an independent state, the Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza Strip rebelled against the Israeli government in 1987.
Over time, Hamas came into existence. Also, it won the 2006 Palestinian Authority elections and eventually controlled the Gaza Strip. It fueled violent activities in Israel, which in turn led to the Israeli government's violent attack against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, tormenting the lives of civil Palestinian residents- especially the children.
FEAR, HUNGER, PAIN
In Gaza, children are the most affected by this needless conflict. They have never experienced a normal childhood, they either have to live with crippled limbs or continue to mourn their parents' death.
Deprived of food, shelter, fuel, water, and medicine has led children in Gaza to die as a result of the conflict. The rate at which children are dying is worrisome. It is estimated that 1.7 million people have been internally displaced in the Gaza Strip, with half of them being children.
According to a WHO; “1 in 6 children under the age of 2 are malnourished, and 95% of pregnant and nursing women experience acute food poverty”. Due to extreme hunger and famine, children at warzone are facing adversities.
Everyone involved failed to remember that no child should be denied basic needs or subjected to inhumane treatment.
According to ‘Jason Lee’, the country director of ‘Save the Children’ for occupied Palestinian territory, who is currently in Gaza, “killing or maiming children is a grave violation against children and perpetrators should be held accountable for their actions”.
GAZA STRIP'S CURRENT SITUATION
Just 12 of the 36 hospitals with inpatient capacity are partially operating as of 19th February, 2024.In Gaza, there have been over 370 attacks on medical centers since 7th October, 2023.
The amount of basic infrastructure has decreased.
A million kids experience trauma every day.
Even children in East Jerusalem face the harshness of this conflict, unlawful murders, and random arrests at the hands of occupying soldiers and settlers.
Recently, on 22nd February, 2024, a series of Israeli strikes in Gaza took the lives of 40 Palestinians, including civil defense workers.
WHAT IS NEEDED ?
"We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, and the safe and immediate release of all hostages - especially children - who have suffered so much," stated UNICEF Executive Director ‘Catherine Russell’ in reference to Rafah, Gaza.
‘In the face of an unimaginable humanitarian crisis in Gaza’. Appropriate funding needs to be given to organizations that promote the welfare of individuals. Humanitarians must be able to deliver relief.
Protecting the civilian population and its essential infrastructure must be done at any cost.
Schools and hospitals must not be destroyed and utilized for military purposes, according to requirements by "International Humanitarian Law".