On March 18, 2025 and beyond, the world witnessed an unimaginable tragedy. A devastating attack by Israel in Gaza led to the massacre of 271 children and 673 innocent lives lost during the sacred hours, as families gathered for their meal. These children were not just numbers, they were lives full of potential, dreams, and futures stolen far too soon.

We should be screaming in outrage. The images are too painful to ignore, children with their bodies torn apart, men and women killed, lifeless, severely injured. One story that haunts me: a mother, burnt alive in her tent with her foetus still in her stomach. A life that was never given a chance, a dream extinguished before it even began. These are not just numbers or statistics. This is a horrifying reality we must face, the kind of brutality that defies every moral boundary.

A Time for Family and Reflection

Usually, it is a time when families come together, share moments of prayer, and eat a meal to prepare for a day of fasting. This year, however, hundreds of families in Gaza were torn apart as bombs fell during these precious moments, catching people in their homes, in their sleep, or as they prepared food. As Rachel Cummings from Save the Children poignantly said, “People were killed while they were sleeping. Women were killed whilst they were preparing meals.” The brutality of these attacks shows no respect for the sanctity of life, especially for the most vulnerable, the children.

A War on Children

Out of the 673 people killed in those horrific attacks, 271 were children, a stark reminder that this is not just a political war but a war on the future itself. As Miranda Cleland from Defence for Children International Palestine (DCIP) said, “Eighteen thousand dead children since 7 October 2023 tells me this is a war on children.” We cannot ignore the evidence. No matter what political narratives are spun, the numbers speak for themselves. Gaza has become a graveyard for its children.

(Recent updates of figures)

They Are Not Numbers

We should not allow these children to remain faceless or nameless. The Abu Daqa children who were all killed during the airstrikes on Khan Younis, South Gaza, represents just one example of the innocence lost

Ahmad, the CEO of GGM,  publicly shared the devastating news that two of his students Layan and Omar were killed alongside their siblings and parents. As Ahmad shared, Layan and Omar were always smiling, always spreading happiness. So, his question remains, one we all must ask: Why?

Furthermore, Eileen Faraj Abu Zoz, a child who was tragically struck by shrapnel to her chest, is another painful reminder of the indiscriminate violence.

In addition, another woman, 22 weeks pregnant, arrived at the hospital with a head injury. Upon examination, the doctor discovered that her baby, too, had perished with her.

Innocent Lives Torn Apart

The suffering does not end there. Sadly, an unnamed infant’s body was mutilated beyond recognition. Fairuz and Ayloul Jarguon were massacred in southern Gaza, their lives violently taken.

Moreover, infant Mohammad Abu Hilal was killed alongside his mother in the displaced tents of Khan Younis.

Additionally, seven other children underwent amputations without any anesthesia to ease their excruciating pain. Why, then, isn’t this being reported on a larger scale? Where is the media outrage?

What about the little girl with braids in her hair? Don’t her parents feel pain? Doesn’t their hurt matter? Doesn’t the hurt of PALESTINIANS matter!? Undoubtedly, her life was stolen away, taken in a moment of violence. This, above all, is a war on children. Thus, the world must recognise that the violence in Gaza cannot continue without accountability.

Why Isn’t This Being Reported?

This is a matter of basic humanity. Despite this, the global media remains silent. Where is the international outrage? Why is the world not paying attention to these atrocities? Clearly, we must demand justice for these innocent children. Their names deserve to be remembered, their stories heard. If anything, their suffering demands our action.

The Physical Toll On Gaza’s Children

The physical toll of these airstrikes on children is appalling. The youngest and smallest among us are often the first to die from blast injuries. Children, with their smaller bodies and fragile bones, are at a far higher risk of death or permanent injury when these bombs fall. Gaza, with nearly half its population under the age of 18, is home to some of the most vulnerable people in the world. “Gaza has become a graveyard for children,” said Ammar Ammar from UNICEF. Tragically, this is not just about the children lost in one attack but the continuous devastation of a whole generation of youth, many of whom will never experience the joy of growing up.

The Urgency Of Action

As we mourn, we must also act. The need for action is urgent and unyielding. We must not let the world remain silent while Gaza’s children are annihilated. International law clearly states that children must not be targeted in conflict, and yet, the destruction continues. The indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas, often leading to the loss of innocent children, violates not just the laws of war, but the very essence of humanity. It is a violation of the most basic rights and the moral fabric of our world. Now, more than ever, we need to speak up.

Scars: Children As Survivors

We cannot continue to ignore the plight of these children, who are not just casualties but are survivors of trauma. UNICEF reports that nearly all of Gaza’s one million children need mental health and psychosocial support, yet aid is blocked, basic needs unmet, and the very infrastructure of survival has been decimated. These children will carry the scars of war for the rest of their lives, and it’s up to all of us to ensure that their stories are heard, their needs are met, and their futures are not lost forever.

A Personal Connection

On a more personal note, I think of my dearest sister, Noor. We spoke just last Thursday, a video call where we shared laughs, dreams for the future, and moments of connection. She sat on the rooftop, gazing out over Gaza, while I sat comfortably in my chair, in my garden, beneath the veranda in London. My usual reading spot became my spot for phone calls with Noor. I showed her my neighbour’s cat and tried (and miserably failed) to pronounce Arabic words as she patiently taught me. We talked about my wedding and how I wish she could be there by my side.

That night of yet another massacre, I didn’t sleep. I stayed awake, waiting anxiously to hear from Noor. When I finally got her message in the morning, I sighed with relief. To know she was okay meant everything in that moment. It struck me then, we are all connected. The suffering of Gaza is not distant. It affects each of us in ways we may not always fully comprehend, but it is felt deeply. What we all have is humanity, use that as fuel to keep fighting for Gaza.

Gaza’s People

Noor’s bravery and strength inspire me every day, and I know she, like so many students in Gaza, dreams of a better future, a future free from the horrors of violence, a future where children can go to school, play without fear, and grow up in peace. These are the same dreams every child in Gaza deserves to have. They are no different from us.

Stand Up For Gaza’s Children

It is escalating and accelerating, the massacres are continuing day and night. We must be louder. We must support Gaza’s children. Their right to basic human rights. We must ensure their voices are heard. We must speak up. Every single child in Gaza deserves to live with the same opportunities and hopes we want for our own children, our own families. Let us stand up for them, let us not let their deaths be in vain. Let us ensure that their future is not lost, and let us keep fighting for their right to dream, just as we do.

Solidarity With Gaza

If you’re angry, you should be. I am angry. If you’re hurt, upset, or devastated by constantly seeing images and videos of dead babies, cry. Let it out. Scream if you need to and then use that pain, to speak up. Protest. Donate. Hold them accountable. Gaza’s children are OUR children. Let’s protect them and let’s help them build their futures.

At GGM, you are all a part of a family, bound not by geography but by a shared vision for a future of peace, opportunity, and justice. We must continue to fight for those who are suffering, and those whose lives are being torn apart by forces beyond their control. Our solidarity with Gaza is not just political, it’s moral. Speak up and support Gaza’s children, demand the world to listen and act now.