Let children’s cries be heard

It is a tragedy that their childhoods, a time that should be filled with love, school, and dreams, are stolen away by the ravages of conflict.

The United Nations Children’s Fund, citing local reports, said more than 700 children in Gaza have lost their lives, and 2,450 have sustained injuries in the escalating tension since 7 October, not to mention the many others exposed to violence that bears a “huge impact” on their mental health and psychological well-being.

Innocent children are caught in the crossfire of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, their lives shattered by the relentless violence. Their laughter has been silenced, replaced by the deafening roar of explosions tearing their homes apart and stealing their dreams. These children, so full of hope and innocence, have been instantly robbed of their future.

Amid this brutal conflict, there are no safe spaces for these little souls. Fueled by its agenda, Hamas launches rockets indiscriminately into Israeli territory, reducing neighborhoods to rubble and leaving behind a trail of broken bodies.

The piercing shrieks of grieving parents echo through the streets, their hearts shattered by the loss of their precious ones.

But the horror doesn’t end there. Children huddle together in the chaos and fear, seeking solace and protection, only to be struck down by the merciless attacks. Their tiny bodies are torn apart, their innocent faces forever frozen in terror.

In her book, Children of Israel/Palestine published in 1999, Laurel Holliday expresses that both Palestinians and Israelis, who are ethnically distinct, assert ownership of the same natural resources such as sand, stone, rivers, vegetation, sea coast, and mountains. Through the stories she presents, Holliday highlights that Israeli and Palestinian children develop a sense that they are fated to engage in conflict with one another.

Estimates showed that as of 2021, more than 2,300 Israeli and Palestinian children had lost their lives over the past 20 years.

These children, the victims of a senseless war, bear wounds that go far beyond the physical. Their hearts carry the heavy burden of trauma, their minds haunted by nightmares that steal away their sleep. The laughter and joy that once filled their days are replaced by fear, anxiety, and a deep sense of loss.

It is a tragedy that their childhoods, a time that should be filled with love, school, and dreams, are stolen away by the ravages of conflict. Their innocence is shattered, replaced by a harsh reality that no child should ever have to face.

Yet, amid the prevailing darkness, there are glimpses of hope. Humanitarian organizations and courageous individuals tirelessly dedicate themselves to offering assistance, support, and solace to these blameless individuals. They extend a helping hand, embracing the task of healing both the visible and invisible wounds.

There is reason for optimism, as the key to healing lies in achieving a lasting peace, a resolution that guarantees the security and welfare of every child affected by this heartbreaking conflict. It necessitates leaders transcending their disagreements, recognizing each other’s humanity, and breaking the cycle of violence that tragically takes the lives of these invaluable children.

May their cries resound, resonating within the corridors of authority, advocating for an immediate cessation to the anguish. May their tears and the blood of the fatalities serve as a poignant reminder of the imperative to seek a peaceful settlement. These children, their lives teetering on the edge, deserve a future liberated from the terrors of warfare.

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Credit belongs to: tribune.net.ph