children, first victims of the war in Gaza

children first victims of the war in Gaza

“I just wish I could have filmed this number of mothers who greeted me in tears because they no longer have any way to protect their children from famine or bombs. » These are the words of James Elder, the director of Unicef ​​in the Gaza Strip this week. Because the first victims of this war, he specifies, are the children. More than 12,000 were killed according to the United Nations, and nearly 600,000 young Gazans had to flee their homes.

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From our correspondent in Ramallah, Alice Froussardwith the help in Gaza of Mohammed Ebeid

All day long, they wander the alleys of the Nuseirat displaced persons camp, Gaza. Boys and girls, playing with what they find, pass the time as best they can.

Salma, a young Gazan, is 10 years old. Like many, her eyes are permanently glued to the sky. “ We still hear the sound of planes continuing to bomb “, she testifies. But for some time now, other planes have been heard in the air, those which organize humanitarian aid drops. “ We are very happy when we hear these planes in the sky, because we know that they are for people who are hungry and suffering a lot. “, she says.

I only see sadness in their eyes”

Within hours, this Palestinian woman had to flee her home in Gaza City. She lost everything and now lives in a tent with her two sisters and her parents. “ Every night when I sleep, I dream of waking up and discovering that the war is over, because what we are experiencing is a nightmare. I wish it would happen quickly », she urges.

At his side, his father recounts the physical and psychological exhaustion. Yasser makes it clear, he no longer knows what to do for his children. “ I have always seen hope in their eyes, but since we were displaced, I only see sadness in their eyes. They understood very well that from now on we are heading towards a completely unknown future. “, he said. According to the United Nations, during the first four months, the offensiveIsrael has killed more children than all the conflicts in the last four years around the world.

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