PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM VIOLENCE IS A MUST.
Terre des hommes (Tdh) is deeply concerned by the current escalation of violence in the Occupied Territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip and in East Jerusalem.
Over the last week, in-country sources account for at least 13 children killed in the Gaza Strip (1). 29 Palestinian children were injured in East Jerusalem, including in the Old City and the Sheikh Jarrah areas (2). Such violent attacks constitute grave violations of children’s most fundamental rights.
We observe in the field that children are paying the harsh price – including with their own lives – of a conflict that they are used to witness and suffer since they were born.
“Children should never be exposed to any kind of violence. The personal cost to the children in this conflict is immeasurable in terms of the destructive impact on their physical and mental development. We also fear an increasing detention of children as a consequence of this escalation, which will result among other things of being isolated and separated from their families without knowing what will happen next,” says Jezerca Tigani, Operations Manager for the Middle East and North Africa Region.
Tdh calls on all parties involved to prevent any form of violence and protect civilians, particularly children. We remind all parties that, under the international humanitarian law (IHL), any attack must be proportionate, and all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid civilian casualties. Tdh reaffirms that all children are entitled to their rights and protection as children, without distinction based on their age, gender, origin, or religion.
(1) https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57083595
(2) https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/37-palestinian-children-injured-and-arrested-east-jerusalem