Global Outcry: International Community’s Failure to Safeguard Gaza’s Children

The ongoing genocide in Gaza has garnered unprecedented attention, largely due to the influence of social media, allowing information to spread rapidly across the globe. Despite the facade of a ceasefire, the violence continues unabated. Official Palestinian estimates indicate that around 70,000 Palestinians have lost their lives to Israeli actions over the past two years, with some estimates suggesting the true toll could be tenfold higher. The situation, particularly concerning children, is alarming.

According to a report from ‘Save the Children’ dated September 5, at least 20,000 children have been killed due to the ongoing conflict. The report details that “at least 1,009 of the children killed were under age one, with nearly half (450) of these babies born and killed during the war.” Furthermore, 42,011 children have suffered injuries, and the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has reported that at least 21,000 children are permanently disabled. Tragically, thousands more remain missing, presumed trapped under debris.

Such statistics are horrifying and demand a moral response from the global community. The report highlights the extensive damage inflicted on infrastructure, stating: “Israeli forces have intensified their bombardment across the Gaza Strip, damaging 97% of schools and 94% of hospitals.” The report notes that children are seven times more likely to die from blast injuries than adults due to their vulnerability, often requiring specialized medical treatment.

Beyond physical injuries, the psychological impact on children is equally grave. A report by Al Jazeera from October 31 states: “Psychologists warn that more than 80 percent of Gaza’s children now exhibit symptoms of severe trauma.” The experiences of individual children illustrate this crisis: for instance, a fifteen-year-old boy now suffers from chronic health issues as a result of his trauma, while eight-year-old Lana developed vitiligo and panic attacks following an airstrike that destroyed her home.

UNICEF’s report from October 26 encapsulates the dire circumstances: “One million children have endured the daily horrors of surviving in the world’s most dangerous place to be a child, leaving them with wounds of fear, loss, and grief.”

The international community’s responsibility towards these children, particularly the 20,000 who have perished and the tens of thousands facing lifelong challenges, is crucial. A report from the Middle East Monitor dated November 10 highlights the paradox of international silence regarding Palestinian children’s rights. It notes that “the right to protection is proclaimed for every child around the world,” yet there is a glaring absence of action concerning the devastation in Gaza.

The report continues: “On 20 November 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, promising universal rights for all children.” However, in Gaza, where children are killed or injured daily, these rights seem to evaporate into mere rhetoric.

In contrast, during the Ukraine conflict, the global response was swift—funds were allocated, schools were prepared for refugees, and media coverage was extensive. Yet, Palestinian children experience a different reality, highlighting a disparity in the application of children’s rights based on geography and race.

In Canada, for instance, the government initially proposed to admit only 1,000 Palestinians from Gaza, later increasing the quota to 5,000. However, fewer than 1,000 have successfully arrived, with many forced to pay human traffickers for escape. This stands in stark contrast to the nearly 300,000 Ukrainian refugees who have been welcomed, aided by significant government support.

Research conducted by Meray Sadek and Neela Hassan suggests that “the more a refugee resembles Canadian ideals—white, Western, liberal—the more likely they are to be seen, heard, and helped.” This indicates a troubling bias in the refugee assistance system, where those who do not conform to specific norms are often viewed as burdens rather than individuals in need of support.

Other examples of governmental assistance to children in war-torn regions further illustrate this discrepancy. For instance, after a devastating rocket attack on a children’s hospital in Ukraine, the facility is set to reopen with aid from the Canadian Red Cross. Conversely, the US has actively hindered humanitarian efforts by canceling visitor visas for individuals from Gaza, severely impacting the ability to transport critically ill children to the US for medical treatment.

Despite ongoing discussions of a ceasefire, the reality on the ground indicates a continued blockade that restricts essential supplies. As Oxfam noted on October 29, “Despite overwhelming needs, the Israeli government is still allowing just a small fraction of the humanitarian aid needed into Gaza.”

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being,” emphasizing that “motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance.” The blockade should have ended immediately upon its inception, as it directly violates these fundamental rights.

History will remember the complicity of nations in allowing these atrocities to unfold. The images of suffering children, alongside the silence of global leaders, raise critical questions about moral responsibility. As nations like Canada, the UK, and France officially recognize Palestine, there is a pressing need for them to advocate for an end to the violence and deprivation faced by Palestinian children.

The world has failed the Palestinian people for over 75 years, and the recent escalation in violence has spotlighted this failure. It is imperative to strive relentlessly for justice and hold accountable those responsible for the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people.

By Robert Fantina (American Author and Human Rights Activist)

This article was presented at the conference on “Children; Victims of Violence in Wars and Terrorist Incidents” held on the occasion of World Children’s Day, organized by Habilian Association (Iranian Families of Terrorism Victims).