Where Are The Missing Kids of Gaza?

The Israeli war on Gaza has been particularly brutal on children. Because of the tempo of destruction many of the children have either been killed or separated from their families. How to deal with these children has been an awesome operation especially when bombs and missiles are raining down on the enclave non-stop.

One blogger writes that the media has run countless headlines on Israel hostages for months. He asks where is the same energy for the 20,000 missing Palestinian children?

Another writes it’s been 24 hours since Save the Children reported that over 20,000 children are missing in Gaza and “I can’t find news about it in any major western outlet.”

Assal Rad says that these children which lie under the rubble, maimed beyond recognition in mass graves, detained and/or separated from their families are  apparently not “newsworthy.”

The New Arab ran a major feature on the missing children of Gaza, stating the British aid Group found up to 21,000 children are estimated to be missing in Gaza, with at least 17,000 of them thought to be unaccompanied or separated from their parents and some 4,000 likely trapped beneath the rubble of their homes, schools, and hospitals.

The website added an undefined number of children’s bodies were found in mass graves, showing signs of summary executions, torture and even being buried alive. Many have been harmed beyond recognition as a result of Israel’s use of explosive weapons.

Another blogger the scale of violence against children in Gaza is horrifying stating that the 20,000 is just the tip of the iceburg because over 14,000 have been killed by the constant Israeli bombardment since 7 October, 2023.

Despite the lack of attention from western reporting, the report has managed to be highlighted on social media and which points to the urgency of finding the parents of these children in the context of war and bombardment.

“Every day we find more unaccompanied children and every day it is harder to support them. We work through partners to identify separated and unaccompanied children and trace their families, but there are no safe facilities for them – there is no safe place in Gaza, said a Save the Children specialist.

“Besides, reuniting them with family members is difficult when ongoing hostilities restrict our access to communities, and constantly force families to move.”

The report states these missing children and who are still alive, are at a grave risk and must be found to be protected.

Jeremy Stoner of Save The Children said: Gaza has become a graveyard for children, with thousands of others missing, their fates unknown. There must be an independent investigation and those responsible must be held accountable. We desperately need a ceasefire to find and support the missing children who have survived, and to prevent more families from being destroyed.”