Months of violence in Gaza have left almost 1,000 Palestinian children injured and maimed by live ammunition. Save the Children is urging for an end to the violence which erupted in March this year amid protests. Injured Palestinian children are struggling in a crippled health system with no access to adequate treatment and medication.
“It is vital to support these children in recovering from their physical and mental wounds and ensure no further children are injured,” said Save the Children President and CEO, Bill Chambers.
“These children’s lives have been turned upside down. They’ve lost limbs, mobility, autonomy and their medical situation is getting worse.
“Even for the most seriously injured, there is little chance they can leave Gaza to get the treatment that could save their limbs,” said Chambers.
The WHO reports that less than a quarter of people injured in the protests have been permitted to leave Gaza for treatment.[2]
Since the protests began in March, more than 5,100 Palestinian children have been injured, according to the UN. In total, the UN says 24,362 Palestinians have been injured and 228[3] killed. In the same period 40 Israelis have been injured and one soldier killed.
Current signs are that an agreement could bring relative calm to Gaza as parties continue talking. However, children already dealing with trauma from the violence must be provided medical and psycho-social support as they adjust to their new realities.
“Many injured children are not only facing physical injuries but also psychological implications for their mental health. They need adequate support to recover from their traumatic experiences. They need to learn to walk again, to move, but also to live,” said Ibrahim Abu Sobeih, Save the Children’s Program Manager in Gaza.
Yet hospitals in Gaza are overstretched. Some 8,000 pre-scheduled surgeries, including critical cases, have been postponed.[4] Since the start of 2018, 462 health workers have been injured and three killed in violence at the perimeter, putting a further strain on Gaza’s health system.[5] Gaza’s central medical store is already out of 40% of essential medicines, with a further 47% at less than one month’s supply[6].
Tom Krift, Save the Children’s Regional Director for the Middle East, said:
“The Israeli government must end the use of sniper fire and live ammunition against children in Gaza. The killing and wounding of children is never acceptable, all parties must ensure that children are not targets. We strongly urge all protests to remain peaceful.”
“The long-standing blockade has created a fuel shortage which makes it harder for hospitals to function and for injured children to get the medical care they need. It puts the lives of hundreds of children at risk.”
“There are encouraging signs that the reported agreement may help stop further child casualties. To prevent more of Gaza’s children from having their lives shattered by bullets all sides must redouble their efforts to find a peaceful solution and tackle the long-term causes of this conflict.”
“In line with international humanitarian and human rights law, we are calling for an end to the blockade. Lifting it will be essential to allow health services to re-establish health care that can save lives and prevent long term disability. It will also be a vital step towards achieving durable peace that enables reconstruction and recovery.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Link to video, case studies in Gaza and photo content here
- Save the Children partners conduct emergency field visits to injured children to provide psychosocial support and help ensure children get counselling to start to recover from their experiences.
- In a survey carried out before the protests Save the Children found that a generation of children in Gaza are on the brink of a mental health crisis, and that fresh violence could destroy their last vestiges of resilience.
[2] World Health Organisation, ‘Situation report: occupied Palestinian territory, Gaza 23 September – 6 October 2018.’ As of 7th October, there were 283 patient applications (249 applications through the Palestinian Patient Liaison Office and 34 applications coordinated with Jordan) for persons injured in demonstrations to exit Gaza via Erez Crossing for health care. 107 were denied (denial rate of 38%, which is significantly higher than the overall denial rate of 9% for the first half of 2018).
[3] UN Gaza Humanitarian Snapshot 30th March – 31st April 2018
[4] UN OCHA oPt, Humanitarian Bulletin August 2018, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/agencies-urgently-require-21-million-respond-casualties-gaza-strip
[5] World Health Organisation, ‘Situation report: occupied Palestinian territory, Gaza 23 September – 6 October 2018’, http://healthclusteropt.org/admin/file_manager/uploads/files/shares/Documents/5bbdc8aaf29af.pdf
[6] World Health Organisation, ‘Situation report: occupied Palestinian territory, Gaza 23 September – 6 October 2018’, http://healthclusteropt.org/admin/file_manager/uploads/files/shares/Documents/5bbdc8aaf29af.pdf
Media Contact
For additional information please contact Jessica Bryant, Head of Communications, Public Relations & Engagement:
About Save the Children
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Canada and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.