Humanium is alarmed by the increasing number of civilian and children victims killed at Gaza in violation of international humanitarian law and children’s rights.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has called into question Israel’s actions in Gaza, saying that there “seems to be a strong possibility that international law has been violated, in a manner that could amount to war crimes.”
International humanitarian law – or the law of war – is the law applicable in armed conflicts. It aims to regulate wars in order to protect civilian populations.
The children of Israel and Gaza are being targeted
A distinction between civilians and combatants must be made: “civilians should not be targeted.” However, the indiscriminate attacks by both Hamas and Israel target civilian populations, including children.
Israel has already hit schools, hospitals, and residential areas, making no distinction between civilians and combatants.
The majority are children
Gaza, a veritable open-air prison under Israeli blockade, is a densely populated area, the majority of whom are children.
1 800 civilians have been killed in Gaza since July 8th, more than 300 of whom were children. On the Israeli side, the 67 victims were almost exclusively soldiers.
The mental health of children in Gaza and Israel is affected
The conclusion is simple: the conflict between Israel, Hamas, and Palestinian armed groups weighs heavily on the minds and lives of children.
As the spokesperson for UNICEF Palestine has denounced: “Children, in general, if they pass through an episode of violence, come to rebuild. But when episodes of violence continue, it’s very damaging.”
Israel violates children’s rights in Gaza
Article 38 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Israel has ratified, requires state parties to take “all feasible measures to ensure protection and care of children who are affected by an armed conflict.”
“We invite the warring parties to stop fighting, to respect international humanitarian law, and the rights of children. We invite them to work for peace and to give the best of themselves for their children.” Olivier Soret, President of Humanium.
Written by: Lisa Olofsson and Ivana Hajzmanova Translated by: Chihiro Tsukamoto Proofread by : Denis Gingras |
