November 20 marks World Children’s Day, a global initiative that aims to promote the rights, safety, education, health and overall happiness of children worldwide. This year, the observance comes amid Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, where nearly half of the population of 2.3 million is made up of children.
Since October 7, Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 5,500 children as reported by Palestinian officials. This translates to one Palestinian child being killed every 10 minutes on average. Furthermore, 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 with many facing life-altering consequences due to the conflict. The sad truth is that many of these children have already experienced trauma from multiple wars in their short lives.
An infographic displaying the names and ages of less than half of those killed in the past six weeks serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that the ongoing conflict has on innocent lives in Gaza. As we celebrate children today it is imperative to acknowledge and address their urgent need for protection and well-being particularly in areas affected by conflict and violence.