Israeli Forces take One Palestinian Child’s Life in Gaza Every 15 Minutes
Ramallah, October 16, 2023 — In the past nine days, Israeli forces have tragically claimed the lives of more than 1,000 Palestinian children in Gaza. These young lives were lost amidst intensive Israeli bombardment and the unprecedented internal displacement that has left surviving children grappling with physical and emotional scars.
Since October 7, Israeli forces have taken the life of a Palestinian child approximately every 15 minutes. This devastating wave of violence was initiated when the Israeli military launched a massive offensive on the Gaza Strip, responding to rocket attacks from Palestinian armed groups and breaches of the Israeli perimeter fence surrounding Gaza. The military operation, known as “Operation Iron Swords,” has left an indelible mark on the region.
Mohammad Abu Rukbeh, senior Gaza field researcher at DCIP, expressed the collective trauma that is being inflicted upon Gaza’s civilian population, saying, “The repercussions of this war will not only affect the victims we have lost, some of which are still trapped under the rubble of their homes, and not only the residential areas that have been completely destroyed, including our own homes, but the psychological impact on us civilians and our children will be catastrophic.”
The Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported fatality and injury numbers, but they only account for those admitted to hospitals. According to the Ministry of Interior, it is estimated that an additional 1,000 Palestinians may be missing under the rubble of destroyed buildings, indicating that the actual death toll is much higher.
The Palestinian children who have survived the relentless Israeli bombing across Gaza now find themselves in a dire humanitarian crisis, further compounding the mental and emotional traumas they have endured over the past 16 years of siege and Israeli military offensives. According to the UN, an estimated one million Palestinians in Gaza are displaced, with over 600,000 taking refuge in central and southern parts of Gaza.
Starting on October 11 at 2 p.m., Gaza has been plunged into a complete electricity blackout, as Israeli authorities severed the electricity and fuel supply on October 7, depleting the Gaza Power Plant’s reserves. This lack of electricity has worsened the existing food crisis, preventing refrigeration and halting irrigation and agricultural activities. Hospitals are struggling with dwindling fuel reserves and backup generators that may last no more than 24 hours.
The water supply to Gaza was also cut off on October 9 by Israeli authorities, forcing all three water desalination plants in Gaza to cease operations, according to UN OCHA. The vast majority of Gazans now lack access to clean drinking water, with some resorting to consuming dirty well water, raising concerns about waterborne diseases. Even though Israeli authorities claimed to resume water supply to southern Gaza recently, the absence of electricity to operate water pumps, damage to water lines by Israeli airstrikes, and a general lack of drinkable water persist as major issues.
The psychological toll on Palestinian children in Gaza is deepened by the pre-existing challenges they faced before the recent Israeli military onslaught. The trauma extends beyond personal suffering, with children witnessing the loss of their peers and families being torn apart. Entire families are being wiped out, leaving children orphaned and facing profound emotional repercussions as they navigate life without the foundational support of their loved ones.
In a further blow to communication, Israeli airstrikes have destroyed two of the three main mobile communication lines in the Gaza Strip. While the Palestinian Telecommunications Company (Paltel) still provides minimal internet connectivity, fears of a complete loss of connection loom if additional damage occurs.
Israeli officials’ statements about making Gaza uninhabitable are a matter of grave concern. International law strictly prohibits genocide, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, and targeting civilians and civilian objects. These actions can constitute war crimes.
Since 2007, Israeli authorities have imposed a closure policy on the Gaza Strip, strictly controlling the movement of individuals, restricting imports of essential items, and maintaining complete control over the region’s borders, airspace, and territorial waters. The dire situation in Gaza underscores the urgent need for a peaceful and humane resolution to this ongoing conflict.
