The Gaza Strip has long been a place of unimaginable suffering, where families are torn apart and lives are shattered. At the heart of this devastation are the children, who have become the most vulnerable victims of violence. According to medical professionals and international organisations, children, some as young as toddlers, are being deliberately targeted. These young lives, full of potential, are lost with chilling precision. Leaving a community grieving and the world questioning its humanity.

Medical Testimonies Indicating Targeting of Children
Numerous medical professionals who have worked in Gaza have shared harrowing stories that are difficult to comprehend. Dr. Irfan Galaria, an American surgeon, recounted how children with sniper-inflicted head wounds were brought into emergency rooms. These were not random acts of violence or stray bullets. Instead, they were intentional, aiming directly for the most vulnerable. Tragically, none of these children survived.
In addition, Dr. Feroze Sidwa, who travelled to Gaza on a medical mission, confirmed similar reports. He described the injuries he treated as “inhumane and calculated,” with many wounds aimed at vital areas like the head and chest.
Dr. Perimutter, another doctor who worked in Gaza, spoke about the overwhelming number of young children he treated with catastrophic injuries. He highlighted the trauma faced by families and how entire communities were left devastated by the loss of their youngest members. Similarly, British Iraqi surgeon Mohammed Tahir noted the staggering number of toddlers and young children among the casualties, many of whom had injuries so severe that saving them was impossible.
Dr. Victoria Rose, who went on two medical missions to Gaza in 2024, witnessed first hand the devastating impact of the conflict on the youngest victims. She described the situation as “a war on children.” Most of the children she treated were between the ages of five and fourteen. Many had suffered life-threatening injuries, including head wounds from sniper fire and injuries from bombings.
Drones Targeting Gaza’s Children
Former NHS surgeon Dr. Nizam Mamode, who spent a month working at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, shared devastating accounts of the violence he witnessed. He shared testimonies of drones in Gaza flying low, targeting children even after bomb attacks, and shooting at them. The precision and frequency of these attacks had a profound impact on Dr. Mamode, who saw firsthand the devastating toll it was taking on Gaza’s children.
These testimonies, shared by those who saw the consequences of this violence up close, reveal a disturbing pattern of deliberate targeting. It is a reality that cannot be ignored, a pattern that demands urgent action.
Deliberate Sniper Attacks: The Targeting of Gaza’s Toddlers
Reports from hospitals reveal that children are being intentionally harmed, often with gunshots aimed at the head, neck, and chest, leading to instant death. X-rays from Naser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, confirmed by Dr. Mimi Syed, show Israeli forces deliberately targeting toddlers in the head, killing them instantly.

One heartbreaking story involves two-year-old Nour Ziad Morsi, who was shot through the heart in northern Gaza. Another, tragic case involved one-year-old Hani Azam, who was shot in front of his mother during a military raid on the Zaytoun neighbourhood in Gaza. These incidents are not random crossfire but targeted attacks aimed at vital areas of the body.


Hind Rajab: A Symbol of Gaza’s Children Under Fire
The tragic story of six-year-old Hind Rajab serves as a heart breaking example of the deliberate targeting of children in Gaza. In February 2024, Hind was killed in northern Gaza when her car was struck by Israeli tank fire. Forensic investigations revealed that 335 bullets were fired into the vehicle, a close-range attack making it clear that the tank crew could see the children inside. Hind’s final phone call, where she pleaded, “I’m scared of the dark, come get me,” has become a symbol of the terror faced by Gaza’s youngest residents.

The Psychological Impact on Gaza’s Young Survivors
The psychological toll on Gaza’s children is just as devastating as the physical injuries. Indeed, many of the young survivors are left deeply scarred by the violence they have witnessed. Furthermore, they carry the trauma of losing family members, friends, and their sense of safety. The constant fear of being targeted by drones or gunfire has, in turn, led to widespread anxiety, which significantly affects their ability to feel secure even in their own homes. Moreover, these young minds, still in the formative stages of life, are being forced to confront horrors that no child should ever experience. As a result, the long-term emotional and psychological impact on these children will be felt for years to come.
The World Must Act: A Call for Protection
The international community cannot afford to ignore the deliberate targeting of children in Gaza. These children deserve to grow up in peace, free from the constant threat of violence. The world must demand accountability for these targeted killings and work towards an end to the violence that perpetuates such suffering. Children should never be the target no matter the cause, no matter the justification.
The lives of Gaza’s children must be protected, and their voices must be heard. Their future and the hope for a peaceful tomorrow depends on it. Despite the unimaginable hardships they face, the children of Gaza continue to hold onto hope. Though their lives have been torn apart by violence, they still carry the dreams of a future they deserve. Their strength in the face of adversity is a testament to their will to live, to rebuild, and to one day experience the peace and safety that all children should know.
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