Palestinian children have little hope of normal life for decades to come

New Delhi: As the Palestinians are trying to put their life together after a deal that has brought only a fragile peace, their hope for a normal life for their children is almost lost for ever.

The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has given a stark warning that Gaza health crisis was going to last for generations.

The devastated city was facing a health “catastrophe” that will last for “generations to come”, the WHO DG told BBC in an interview.

Gaza City, the last refuge for families in the northern Gaza Strip, is fast becoming a place where childhood cannot survive, Tess Ingram, UNICEF Communication Manager for the Middle East and North Africa Regional Office, has said.

“I met children who were separated from their parents in that chaos. Mothers whose children have died of starvation. Mothers who fear their children will be next. I’ve spoken to kids in hospital beds, their small bodies shredded by shrapnel,” she added.

So far 68,116 Palestinians have been killed and 170,200 others injured in Israeli campaign since October 7, 2023, according to Gaza’s health authorities. Despite the ceasefire, 27 Gazans have been killed and 143 injured since October 11.

On top pf food shortage, crippling injuries, a collapsed healthcare system, and destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure, the restricted access to humanitarian aid is making the situation still worse.

Although Israel has permitted more medical supplies and other kinds of aid to cross into Gaza since a ceasefire with Hamas came into effect on  Oct 10 but the quantity and the level are far below what is required.

Meanwhile, the World Court has declared that Israel is obligated to uphold international human rights law in the Palestinian territories and work with the UN and other international organisations to provide relief to the people there.

Israel has “to respect the prohibition on the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare” and must ensure that “the essential supplies of daily life, including food, water, clothing, bedding, shelter, fuel, medical supplies and services” are provided to the people in the Palestine territories, the ICJ said.

However, it is only an advisory and Israel is not bound to accept it.
—India News Stream