The ongoing conflict in Gaza has taken a devastating toll on the lives of children, making it all the more poignant to celebrate World Children’s Day on November 20. This year, the focus is on promoting the rights, safety, education, health and overall happiness of children worldwide. But in Gaza, nearly half of the population of 2.3 million is made up of children who are living in the midst of Israel’s war on the territory.

Since October 7th, there have been devastating Israeli attacks that have resulted in the deaths of at least 5,500 children. This means that one Palestinian child has been killed every 10 minutes on average, highlighting the severity of the situation. Additionally, around 1,800 children are still missing under the rubble and many are feared dead. On top of that, a staggering 9,000 children have been injured with many facing life-altering consequences as a result of this conflict. Sadly, many of these children have already experienced trauma from multiple wars in their short lives.

An infographic displaying the names and ages of less than half of those killed in just six weeks serves as a stark reminder of how much damage this conflict has had on innocent lives in Gaza. On a day dedicated to celebrating children it is crucial to acknowledge and address their urgent need for protection and well-being particularly in areas affected by conflict and violence.