November 20 marks World Children’s Day, a global initiative aimed at promoting the rights, safety, education, health, and overall happiness of children worldwide. This year, the observance takes place amid Israel’s war on Gaza, where nearly half of the population of 2.3 million is made up of children.
In the past six weeks, Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 5,500 children as reported by Palestinian officials. This means that on average, one Palestinian child has been killed every 10 minutes since October 7th. Additionally, around 1,800 children are still missing under the rubble, with many feared to be dead. On top of that, a staggering 9,000 children have been injured in this conflict alone. Many of them are facing life-altering consequences due to their injuries.
Sadly, many of these children have already experienced trauma from multiple wars in their short lives. The heartbreaking reality is further highlighted by an infographic that displays the names and ages of less than half of the children who have been killed in these past six weeks. It serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that ongoing conflict is having on innocent lives.
On this day dedicated to celebrating children’s well-being and happiness worldwide it is crucial to acknowledge and address the urgent need for their protection and well-being particularly in areas affected by conflict and violence. We must work together to end this war so that all children can live without fear and enjoy their basic human rights.
