Eleven of over 60 children killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza were enrolled in a psycho-social program dealing with trauma. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) announced on Tuesday.
The NRC said in a written statement that the children, aged between five and 15, were killed in their homes. Their homes were in densely populated areas “along with countless other relatives who died or received injuries.”
“We are devastated to learn that 11 children we were helping with trauma were bombarded while they were at home. They thought they were safe,” said Secretary-General Jan Egeland.
“We call on Israel to stop this madness: children must be protected. Their homes must not be targets. Schools must not be targets. Spare these children and their families. Stop bombing them now.”
Among the children killed by Israeli airstrikes was that of 15-year-old Lina Iyad Shar. She was killed along with both of her parents in the Al Manara neighborhood on May 11. Meanwhile, her two-year-old sister Mina is still in critical condition, according to the NRC statement, Anadolu Agency reported.
The children, ages 5 to 15, died in their homes
Hala Hussein al-Rifi, 13, was also killed on May 12 by an Israeli airstrike in Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood. Moreover, four-year-old Zaid Mohammad Telbani – along with his five-month pregnant mother Rima, was killed in the same attack.
Six children in Gaza’s Al Wahda Street were killed along with their families in multiple air raids by Israel. These included Tala Ayman Abu al-Auf, 13, her 17-year-old brother, and her father, Dr. Ayman Abu al-Auf, who was the head of internal medicine at Gaza City’s Shifa hospital.
Rula Mohammad al-Kawlak, five, Yara, nine, and Hala, 12 – all sisters – together with 14-year old cousin Hana and other relatives, were killed in the same attacks. As were sisters Dima and Mira Rami al-Ifranji, 15 and 11, and their neighbor Dana Riad Hasan Ishkantna, nine.
Rafeef Murshed Abu Dayer, 10, and another child assisted by NRC were killed in the same area on May 17. Shrapnel hit her together with her two brothers, NRC said in the statement.
At least 217 Palestinians killed, including 63 children in Gaza
At least 217 Palestinians have been killed, including 63 children and 36 women. Another 1,500 others injured in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since May 10, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Also, 12 Israelis have reportedly been killed in Palestinian rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.
A non-government organization, Save The Children, said almost 60 children had been killed by Israeli bombs in the last week. Meanwhile, at least 366 children had been injured in the ongoing strikes.
“Every time there’s an airstrike we become scared. Every time we try to go out, when we get to the front door, there’s another airstrike. We run back inside as fast as we can,” 10-year-old Khaled was quoted by the group.
Palestinian children are afraid but they are proving to be strong against the evil Israeli forces. Recently, an Israeli airstrike also martyred a Palestinian father who told his terrified daughters not to be scared.
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