“In all wars, it is children who suffer first and suffer most.”

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The war between Palestine and Israel has brought devastating consequences, particularly for the youngest and most vulnerable members of society—children. Daily life in Gaza is marked by destruction, airstrikes, and an ongoing struggle for essential resources like food and water. Families are constantly at risk of displacement, with homes and infrastructure being destroyed. This grim reality is a stark contrast to regions unaffected by war, where daily routines remain undisturbed.

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In 2023, Al Jazeera reported that two-thirds of Gaza's population of 2.3 million had been rendered homeless by the conflict. The war has claimed over 11,500 lives, with children accounting for more than 4,700 of those deaths. Many were victims of airstrikes, misfired rockets, collapsing buildings, and the failure of essential services, such as electricity in hospitals. These attacks have left children as young as newborns and toddlers without a chance at life (Debre & Wafaa Shurafa, 2023). For those who survive, the situation remains dire as hospitals lose power, further endangering lives, particularly those of premature infants (UN Humanitarians, 2023).

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As of October 2024, the situation has only worsened, with Israeli airstrikes continuing to target densely populated areas like Jabalia and Nuseirat. The consequences are severe, especially for children. Medical facilities, already stretched thin, are struggling to keep up with the influx of casualties. At Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, doctors warn that without an immediate influx of fuel and medical supplies, many children in critical condition may not survive (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2024).

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The effects of the war extend beyond physical harm. The ongoing violence has left a deep psychological impact on children (“UNICEF in Emergencies,” n.d.). The lack of access to food, clean water, and healthcare compounds the trauma they experience daily (Ćerimović, 2024). Schools, homes, and even hospitals, which should be safe havens, have been targeted, leaving children with nowhere to seek refuge. Aid organizations have consistently raised alarms about the deteriorating situation, particularly in areas under constant bombardment where evacuation is nearly impossible.

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Despite these overwhelming challenges, there is hope. International agencies continue to push for humanitarian corridors, aiming to restore basic living standards and ensure the safety of civilians, especially children (Convention on the Rights of the Child, 2023). The efforts to bring aid into Gaza are ongoing, but the need for collective global action remains urgent. The psychological scars left by the conflict will take years to heal, but with the right support, these resilient children can begin to recover and rebuild their lives.

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The international community has taken some steps to intervene. In October 2023, the UN Security Council passed a resolution to establish humanitarian corridors for civilians, but the delivery of aid remains slow due to logistical challenges (Gaza: “Hospitals Are Not Battlegrounds”, Children’s Suffering Must Stop, UN Humanitarians Say, 2023). It is crucial that these efforts continue and that both short-term relief and long-term solutions are pursued.

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