Doha: Highlighted by the newspaper Al Raya, the catastrophic humanitarian situation faced by children in the Gaza Strip, and the violations they endure due to the ongoing Israeli aggression since Oct. 7, remains a critical issue. The newspaper emphasized Qatar’s strong condemnation of the severe violations committed by the Israeli occupation against children in Gaza, which constitute a blatant breach of international humanitarian law and international treaties and protocols regarding the protection of children in conflict.
In its editorial, Al-Raya referenced comments made by Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini. He revealed that the number of child victims of the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza exceeds the number of child victims in four years of conflicts worldwide. This horrifying statistic led HE Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani to describe Gaza as a cemetery for c
hildren.
Her Excellency reiterated in Qatar’s statement that the horrific reports from UNICEF and humanitarian organizations regarding the catastrophic humanitarian situation for children in Gaza indicate that a hundred children are killed or injured daily due to indiscriminate Israeli bombardment and systematic starvation. This includes the use of food as a weapon by preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid, prompting the UN Secretary-General to list the Israeli occupation forces and Israeli security forces as parties involved in committing serious violations against children in armed conflict situations. The statement also condemned attacks on schools and hospitals and assaults on protected individuals connected to schools and hospitals. It called for efforts to ensure children’s right to education, especially in conflict-affected countries. Additionally, it urged the international community and international and UN organizations to uphold their responsibilities and take a courageous stance by imposing
immediate international intervention to address malnutrition and the lack of essential supplements and vaccinations, which have become prohibited from entering the Gaza Strip.
Source: Qatar News Agency