The recent conflict in Gaza has caused deep pains in the children living in the area.
Today, UN Special Rapporteur Makarim Wibisono revealed the pained reality of suffering children in Gaza. Every child in Gaza is damaged by the conflict between Israel and Palestine, says Wibisono.
Manar, a 14 year old girl from Gaza, is a victim of the violence. She lost her mother, three brothers, and both her legs in an Israeli attack on a UN school that she attended. Manar is now at King Hussein hospital in Amman.
In 2014 Wibisono was elected by the United Nations Human Rights Council as the Rapporteur of the human rights situation in Palestine. According to a press release by the UN, “The latest round of violence has left 1,479 civilians, including 506 children dead.”
The conflict left more than 11,000 Palestinian citizens injured, with more than 3,000 of them being children. Most of these injuries will affect them for the rest of their lives.
“Israel’s claim of self-defense against an occupied population living under a blockade considered to be illegal under international law is untenable,” Wibisono said. “In a population where over half of the 1.8 million people are under 18, this is truly a tragedy, which will be felt for generations to come.”
Beyond the physical injuries, the conflict in Gaza affects the mental health of the children. Multitudes of children have seen their friends, families, and neighbors killed. Wibisono reports that tens of thousands of children are suffering from insomnia, bedwetting, loss of appetite, and showing aggressive behavior in schools.
Reportedly, the Israeli attacks have damaged over 200 schools in Gaza, killed both adult and child Palestinians, and left thousands of Palestinians without homes. There is a critical shortage of medical supplies and electricity for those still in Gaza.
Wibisono urged Israel to allow the Palestinians to rebuild and prepare for the coming winter.
“Israel must immediately lift the seven year land, sea and air blockade of Gaza, and urgently allow needed materials for reconstruction and recovery,” he said.
The UN expert claimed that there have been human rights violations against the Palestinians in Gaza during the conflict.
“Those responsible for violations of international law must be brought to justice in order to avoid yet another round of deadly violence in the near future,” he said.
Wibisono will reveal his complete investigation and suggestions regarding the human rights situation in Palestinian territories at the 28th session of the Human Rights Council in March of 2015.
