Gaza’s Children Devastated by War: 13,000 Dead, 25,000 Injured \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The ongoing war in Gaza has caused immense suffering for children, with over 13,000 killed and 25,000 injured, according to U.N. reports. Thousands are malnourished, orphaned, or separated from their families, and 650,000 school-age children are unable to attend classes. Israeli children have also suffered significant trauma, with many killed, injured, or displaced in Hamas attacks, according to Israeli officials.
War in Gaza: The Toll on Children – Quick Look
- Children’s Casualties: Over 13,000 Palestinian children killed, 25,000 injured, and 25,000 hospitalized for malnutrition.
- UNICEF Data: Nearly 19,000 children in Gaza hospitalized for acute malnutrition before December.
- Orphans and Education: Thousands of children orphaned; 650,000 are out of school due to the destruction of Gaza’s education system.
- Israeli Impact: Israeli officials highlight trauma for children killed, injured, abducted, or displaced in Hamas attacks.
- Diplomatic Reactions: Security Council debates highlight suffering on both sides and the role of Hamas in Gaza’s devastation.
Deep Look
The ongoing war in Gaza has inflicted unparalleled devastation on children, with U.N. agencies reporting staggering numbers of deaths, injuries, and displacement. The conflict, now in its 15th month, has created what has been described as “the deadliest place in the world to be a child.” The human cost of this war continues to rise, leaving both Gaza and Israel grappling with profound losses and trauma.
Children in Gaza: The Cost of Conflict
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that of the 40,717 Palestinian bodies identified in Gaza, over 13,000 are children. This means one-third of all casualties in the conflict are among the most vulnerable.
UNICEF estimates that an additional 25,000 children have been injured, many with life-altering consequences. Nearly 19,000 children were hospitalized for acute malnutrition in the four months leading up to December, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
James Kariuki, Britain’s deputy U.N. ambassador, spoke to the Security Council about the severity of the situation: “The children of Gaza did not choose this war, yet they have paid the ultimate price.”
Widespread Orphaning and Displacement
Thousands of children in Gaza have been orphaned or separated from their families due to the relentless violence. This loss of parental care has left many vulnerable to further trauma, exploitation, and a bleak future.
Displacement has added to the toll, with countless families uprooted and struggling to find safety. Gaza’s already fragile infrastructure has been decimated, leaving little hope for stability in the near term.
A Crippled Education System
One of the most significant impacts of the war on Gaza’s children is the destruction of the education system. According to Yasmine Sherif, executive director of the U.N. global fund Education Cannot Wait, 650,000 school-age children are no longer attending classes.
“The entire education system has to be rebuilt,” Sherif stated, emphasizing that the destruction of schools and educational facilities will have long-term consequences for the region’s youth.
Rebuilding the education infrastructure will require substantial international support and a commitment to long-term recovery efforts. Without it, an entire generation risks being left behind, further entrenching the cycle of poverty and conflict.
The Impact on Israeli Children
The horrors of the conflict are not confined to Gaza. Israeli children have also faced significant trauma following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon described the atrocities committed during the attack, which included the deaths and injuries of children, as well as the abduction of 30 minors. Tens of thousands of Israeli children have been displaced, their homes destroyed, and their sense of safety shattered.
Danon emphasized the lasting psychological scars, saying, “The trauma they have endured is beyond imagination.” He criticized the Security Council’s focus on Gaza, arguing that it fails to address the plight of Israeli children.
Diplomatic Debates and Blame
The war’s impact on children has become a focal point for international debates. Danon accused Hamas of turning Gaza into “the world’s largest terror base” and of using children as human shields. He stated, “The children of Gaza could have had a future filled with opportunity. Instead, they are trapped in a cycle of violence and despair, all because of Hamas, not because of Israel.”
Diplomats from Britain, France, and other nations expressed their concerns for children on both sides, highlighting the shared burden of war. However, the political blame game continues to overshadow efforts to address the humanitarian crisis effectively.
The Role of Malnutrition and Healthcare
The malnutrition crisis in Gaza underscores the broader collapse of healthcare in the region. Nearly 19,000 children have been hospitalized for acute malnutrition, reflecting the severe shortage of food and medical supplies.
UNICEF, in coordination with other U.N. agencies, has been monitoring nutrition levels and attempting to provide aid, but access remains a significant challenge due to ongoing hostilities.
The lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure further exacerbates the suffering, with hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of casualties and limited resources to treat malnourished children.
Hamas’ Role in the Crisis
While international organizations and diplomats focus on the suffering of children, the role of Hamas in perpetuating the conflict has drawn significant criticism. Hamas’ use of civilian areas for military purposes, including the placement of weaponry near schools and hospitals, has made Gaza a focal point for devastating airstrikes.
Israeli officials argue that Hamas bears responsibility for the conditions in Gaza, claiming the militant group prioritizes its operations over the welfare of the population. This assertion remains a contentious point in international debates over accountability and humanitarian aid.
The Need for Rebuilding and Support
Rebuilding Gaza and addressing the needs of its children will require coordinated global efforts. From healthcare and education to psychological support, the scale of the crisis is vast.
For Israeli children, addressing displacement, trauma, and safety concerns is equally urgent. Both sides face the challenge of rebuilding lives amid ongoing uncertainty.
Conclusion: A Generation at Risk
The war in Gaza has left an indelible mark on children, with devastating consequences for their physical and mental well-being. The conflict’s youngest victims bear the brunt of violence they did not choose, highlighting the urgent need for peace and humanitarian intervention.
As international leaders and organizations work to address the crisis, the long-term impact on children in Gaza and Israel underscores the devastating cost of war. Without meaningful change, an entire generation risks being lost to the cycles of conflict and despair.
Gaza’s Children Devastated
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