Gaza, MINA – A Palestinian rights group has sent letters to European Parliament members and human rights organizations about thousands of children who are missing or disappeared in Gaza. The action was taken on International Missing Children’s Day, May 25.
The Palestinian Center for the Missing and Forcibly Disappeared said it wants to raise awareness about this issue. The group wants international leaders to pressure Israel to reveal what happened to children who are held in its prisons and detention centers.
The Center said about 2,900 children in Gaza are missing or have been forcibly disappeared. Around 2,700 children are believed to be trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings. Rescue teams cannot reach them because there is not enough equipment, fuel is not allowed in, and Israeli forces are present in those areas. About 200 children have completely lost contact with their families. There are fears that they have been taken by the Israeli army or have been killed with their bodies left in the streets.
Researchers documented cases of children being taken by Israeli forces near aid distribution points and in areas controlled by the military. Many missing children went to get food or flour during times of extreme hunger. Others disappeared while collecting firewood or trying to save belongings from their destroyed homes.
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The Center said leaving thousands of children’s bodies under rubble is a violation of human dignity. It increases the suffering of families who are stuck between despair and hope. The group warned that if the international community does not take serious action, those responsible will never be held accountable.
The Center called on European Parliament members to bring up the issue of missing children in Gaza during their sessions. It also asked them to submit questions to the European Commission to pressure Israel. The group demanded that Israel be forced to release the names and locations of detained children, share information about their health conditions, and allow the International Red Cross to visit them immediately. The Center also asked for international help to bring heavy equipment and fuel into Gaza so rescue teams can recover children trapped under rubble.
The Center stated that protecting children during armed conflict is a legal and moral duty under international law. It said that continuing to target children or cause their disappearance is a crime that does not expire with time.[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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