Save the Children’s recent report on Gaza revealed a shocking fact that the number of children killed in Gaza in just three weeks surpassed the yearly number of children fatalities in conflict zones worldwide since 2019. Children make up more than 40% of the 7,703 total deaths in Gaza, and over 1,000 children are still unaccounted for. The International Criminal Court has been called to take immediate action on the deliberate killing of children in Gaza, and South Africa has demanded an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and global accountability.
What is the shocking fact revealed by Save the Children’s recent report on Gaza?
The number of children killed in Gaza in just the past three weeks has surpassed the yearly number of children fatalities in conflict zones worldwide since 2019. As of October 7th, a total of 3,257 children have been killed, including 3,195 in Gaza, 33 in the West Bank, and 29 in Israel. Children make up more than 40% of the 7,703 total deaths in Gaza. The number is expected to increase as over 1,000 children are still unaccounted for, with many buried beneath rubble due to Israel’s indiscriminate airstrikes on Gaza.
A recent report by Save the Children has uncovered a chilling fact: the number of children killed in Gaza in just the past three weeks has surpassed the yearly number of children fatalities in conflict zones worldwide since 2019. As of October 7th, a total of 3,257 children have been killed, including 3,195 in Gaza, 33 in the West Bank, and 29 in Israel. Heartbreakingly, children make up more than 40% of the 7,703 total deaths in Gaza. This number is expected to increase as over 1,000 children are still unaccounted for, with many buried beneath rubble due to Israel’s indiscriminate airstrikes on Gaza.
These young victims were not combatants, and those responsible for their deaths must be held accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possibly even genocide. The appalling number of fatalities in Gaza is a direct consequence of Israel’s illegal actions against the people of Gaza.
During a United Nations General Assembly session on October 27, 2023, South Africa and the majority of countries in attendance supported a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire. In the debate, they emphasized that Israel, as an occupying force, does not have the legal “right to defend itself” through military means under the laws of occupation and armed conflict. The International Court of Justice has confirmed this fact. As the occupying power, Israel can employ policing measures to address criminal acts but cannot simultaneously attack the territory it occupies, claiming it presents an external national security threat.
Call for Investigation and Global Accountability
Those who encouraged and materially assisted Israel’s illegal use of force should also be investigated for aiding and abetting violations of international law. The staggering number of non-combatant deaths, particularly among children, calls for worldwide accountability. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already charged Russian President Vladimir Putin with the unlawful removal of children from Ukraine to Russia. Consequently, the deliberate killing of children in Gaza warrants immediate action by the ICC prosecutor.
However, these statistics should not overshadow the unfolding human tragedy. In the past three weeks, entire generations of families in Gaza have been obliterated, with over 80 families wiped out by Israeli military action. On October 29th, the family of a high-ranking Palestinian diplomat stationed in Pretoria was killed in an Israeli airstrike on their apartment building in Gaza. Another member of the Palestinian community in Johannesburg lost 25 relatives in a similar attack.
South Africa vehemently denounces the unethical commentary by the Deputy head of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, Mr. Zev Krengel. He has reiterated discredited information about the beheading of children in Israel and misled the public about the nature and process of Minister Naledi Pandor’s call from Hamas and her official visit as an envoy to Iran. Krengel’s views and the organization he represents are out of touch with the majority of South Africans and people worldwide, including many Jewish individuals who have criticized the actions of Hamas and the Israeli government.
International Call for Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid
Millions of individuals, including those within the Jewish Voice for Peace, have marched in cities like New York, London, and Turkey, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and investigations into breaches of international crimes. Brazilian President Lula da Silva has described one such crime, genocide, as characterizing the attacks on Gaza. Similarly, Minister Pandor has urged the international community not to remain passive while another genocide occurs.
Echoing the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution, South Africa demands an immediate ceasefire, the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to supply food, medical provisions, and fuel, and the deployment of a rapid protection force to defend civilians from further bombardment. Countries genuinely committed to a rules-based system anchored in international law must act without hesitation.
1. What is the shocking fact revealed by Save the Children’s recent report on Gaza?
The number of children killed in Gaza in just the past three weeks has surpassed the yearly number of children fatalities in conflict zones worldwide since 2019.
2. What is the total number of children killed in Gaza according to the recent report by Save the Children?
As of October 7th, a total of 3,257 children have been killed, including 3,195 in Gaza, 33 in the West Bank, and 29 in Israel.
3. What is the percentage of children among the total deaths in Gaza?
Children make up more than 40% of the 7,703 total deaths in Gaza.
4. How many children are still unaccounted for in Gaza?
Over 1,000 children are still unaccounted for, with many buried beneath rubble due to Israel’s indiscriminate airstrikes on Gaza.
5. What actions have been demanded by South Africa in response to the situation in Gaza?
South Africa has demanded an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and global accountability.
6. Who has been called to take immediate action on the deliberate killing of children in Gaza?
The International Criminal Court has been called to take immediate action on the deliberate killing of children in Gaza.
7. What has been emphasized by South Africa in the United Nations General Assembly session regarding the situation in Gaza?
South Africa emphasized that Israel, as an occupying force, does not have the legal “right to defend itself” through military means under the laws of occupation and armed conflict.
8. What has been demanded by South Africa in response to the situation in Gaza, in addition to an immediate ceasefire?
South Africa demands the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to supply food, medical provisions, and fuel, and the deployment of a rapid protection force to defend civilians from further bombardment.
