The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis, with thousands of children facing imminent starvation and death. In the last 48 hours, Israeli forces have killed at least 11 Palestinian children, aged between seven months and 12 years, in the Gaza Strip. The figure includes Gaza’s youngest Influencer. This brings the total number of Palestinian children killed in the conflict to alarming heights.
According to reports, four-year-old Mohammed Yassine was the latest victim, dying from hunger due to the Israeli blockade that has prevented food and medical aid from entering Gaza. Mahmoud Basal of Gaza’s Civil Defence said, “Mohammed Yassine died from hunger, a direct result of the occupation’s prevention of food and medical aid from entering Gaza.” He added, “Mohammed was not the first child, and the fear has become a certainty that he won’t be the last.”
Tributes to Young Lives Lost
Eleven-year-old Yaqeen Hammad, a popular social media influencer, was also killed in an Israeli air raid. Her brother, Mohamed Hammad, and she had delivered food, toys, and clothing to displaced families. Tributes poured in after her death, with Mahmoud Bassam, a photojournalist in Gaza, writing, “Her body may be gone, but her impact remains a beacon of humanity.” Another tribute read, “Instead of being at school and enjoying her childhood, she was active on Instagram and participating in campaigns to help others in Gaza. No words. Absolutely no words.”
Devastating Attack on a Doctor’s Family
Dr. Alaa Amir al-Najjar, a paediatrician at Nasser Hospital, lost nine of her 10 children in an Israeli air raid. The victims included Sidar, Luqman, Sadin, Reval, Ruslan, Jubran, Eve, Rakan, and Yahya, aged between seven months and 12 years. Ahmad al-Farra, head of the hospital’s paediatrics department, described the attack’s impact as “unbelievable.” He added, “You can’t imagine the shock that [al-Najjar] had when she heard about that [attack]. But up until now, she is trying to be near her son and her husband to survive.”
The United Nations has highlighted Israel’s disproportionate violence against children, citing repeated air raids on residential buildings as a contributing factor to the rising child death toll. Dr. Mads Gilbert, a physician at University Hospital of North Norway, described the killing of Gaza doctor’s family as an “outrageous crime”.
Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
The World Food Programme has warned that over 70,000 children in Gaza face acute levels of malnutrition, and thousands more are at risk of death from starvation. The Israeli blockade has choked off access to essential food, fuel, and medical supplies, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Children account for 31% of Palestinians confirmed killed during Israel’s 19 months of war on Gaza, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.