DayofPal– UNICEF communications specialist, Rosalia Bollen, has condemned the daily loss of children’s lives in Gaza at the hands of Israeli occupation forces, calling it “absolutely appalling.”
“While attacks are concentrated on the north, families are killed here in the centre and southern parts of Gaza as well,” she told Al Jazeera from Deir Al-Balah.
“Beyond that, at least 14,500 children have been reported killed. There are tens of thousands more that are injured and at least a quarter of those are thought to require major rehabilitation, they risk lifelong disability.”
Rosalia Bollen shared the story of an eight-year-old girl she met in northern Gaza just days ago. The child, now missing her leg up to the knee, endured three separate amputations as repeated infections set in—tragic consequences of a dire shortage of medical supplies.
“And as this girl was explaining what had happened to her, she said she saw maggots coming out of her leg. This is something that no child should have to go through. The body of this eight-year-old has been brutalised. All children in Gaza have been traumatised.”
Bollen described the situation in northern Gaza after nearly two months of an Israeli siege as “most dire”.
“Across northern Gaza, including Gaza City, the situation is very difficult for hospitals that lack medical supplies and medicines and doctors, but also for the people who are still there,” she said.
After driving around the area with colleagues last week, Bollen said she saw some market activity in improvised stalls but said very few had any food.
“The little that is available is canned food. The people are hungry, cold and traumatised. A risk of famine alert was issued last month but there haven’t been any supplies entering most northern parts of Gaza, so the situation will further deteriorate for the families there,” she said. “The children I meet with are all hungry,” she concluded.
A new study conducted by a Gaza-based NGO, supported by the War Child Alliance, highlights the severe psychological impact on children living in Gaza amid the ongoing war.
The research reveals that 96% of the children surveyed believe their death is imminent, with nearly half expressing a wish to die due to the overwhelming trauma they have endured.
The needs assessment found that 92% of the surveyed children are “not accepting of reality.” Additionally, 79% report suffering from nightmares, and 73% display aggressive behavior.
Helen Pattinson, the CEO of War Child UK, stated, “This report exposes that Gaza is one of the worst places in the world for a child. Beyond the destruction of hospitals, schools, and homes, the psychological damage inflicted on these children is deep and long-lasting, despite their having no role in this conflict.”
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=59412
