Ground Operation Warning from Human Rights Watch

According to data from Human Rights Watch (HRW), more than 1,000 children have lost their lives so far, an average of 100 children per day, since the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on October 7.

HRW Children’s Rights Director Bill Van Esveld said a large increase in child deaths is likely if Israel launches a ground operation in Gaza.

“A DEADLY COMBINATION”

Explaining that, in addition to continued airstrikes and shelling, a ground operation in besieged Gaza will include more Israeli troops, tanks and heavy weapons, Esveld said: “They are increasing the number and weapons capacity of Israeli troops who are concerned about their own safety.” security. “This is a lethal combination, considering that the operation in question was organized to eliminate Hamas.” he said.

1 MILLION PEOPLE WERE DISPLACED IN ONE WEEK

Noting that an unprecedented number of Palestinians have fled the region, especially northern Gaza, to escape airstrikes since 1948, when the “Great Disaster” called “Nakba” occurred, Esveld said: “Several people have been displaced by force in Gaza that we had not seen since the Nakba. 1 million people in a week…”, he evaluated.

500 THOUSAND CHILDREN WERE FORCEDLY DISPLACED

Esveld stated that approximately half of Gaza’s population is under 18 years old and said that 500,000 children were forcibly displaced.

Esveld noted that mass migrations increased with Israel’s call for settlers in northern Gaza to head south, saying: “There are children walking from one end of the Gaza Strip to the other for hours without water or food “. saying.

It is known that in addition to the cuts of electricity, water and humanitarian aid in the region, the displaced had to walk because fuel for cars ran out.

Esveld said: “Even if their (displaced Palestinians) cars had fuel, they would not want to drive because they were worried that the convoy would be bombed. “Even if they can move in convoy, many roads are reduced to rubble.” he made the assessment of it.

Referring to the psychological effects of the destruction, Esveld stated that children evacuated from the region during the bombing were traumatized because they had nowhere to go.

Esveld said desperate families who could not find a safe place took shelter in and around hospitals.

RISK OF ILLNESS

The HRW official noted that children in Gaza are at risk of untreated diseases and infections, as well as attacks and bombings.

Esveld, citing information provided by a doctor working in the conflict zone, said smallpox is spreading rapidly among children in the region.

Esveld emphasized that 90 percent of the water available in the region, where access to drinking water is restricted, is dirty and children are vulnerable to infectious diseases.

STATE OF HOSPITALITIES

Referring to overcrowded Gaza hospitals without water, electricity or fuel, Esveld stated that 20 hospitals in northern Gaza and 1 hospital in Rafah were ordered to be evacuated, adding: “Hospitals are not safe places either.” saying.

Esveld stated that in one case he encountered, two seriously injured children were taken to the hospital, but since there was only one respirator, health workers had difficulty choosing which one to save.

“THE MURDER OF CHILDREN IS NOT AN ACCIDENT”

The HRW official noted that the situation in Gaza, where entire family members lost their lives and were wiped out from the population and hundreds of children died, was “a predictable consequence of the use of highly explosive weapons in populated areas.”

“They should have known that in a population where, inevitably, more than half are children, it is not surprising that they kill about 100 children a day,” Esveld said. This is not an accident. “When you can foresee consequences like this, you have to stop.” he said. (AA)