By Wallace Mawire
The Palestine Embassy in Zimbabwe has said as the world observes Universal Children’s Day, their hearts are heavy with the thought of the immense suffering endured by the children of Palestine.
The embassy said the ongoing genocide, which began in 2023, has claimed the lives of over 19,000 students and injured 28,000, leaving countless young minds traumatized and shattered. The embassy said the devastating impact of the conflict on the future generation of Palestine is a reminder of the urgent need for collective action to protect the rights and dignity of children.
They said the scale of destruction is appalling, with hundreds of schools, kindergartens, early childhood centers, nurseries, and playgrounds completely or partially damaged in Gaza and the West Bank. The embassy said the institutions, which are meant to be safe havens for learning and growth, have been reduced to rubble, disrupting the education and upbringing of thousands of children.
They said the dreams and aspirations of an entire generation are being shattered, and it is a collective responsibility of many to ensure that their rights are protected and their future is secured.
Ambassador Tamer Almassri has strongly condemed the recent Israeli attacks across Gaza, which have killed at least 19 Palestinians and injured dozens more in flagrant violation of ceasefire agreements. He said the attacks, which have been launched in residential areas and civilian locations, demonstrate a blatant disregard for human life as Israel keeps piling misery upon the lives of displaced Palestinians with winter around the corner.
He said since the ceasefire agreement of October 11, 2023, the number of Palestinians killed has reached 280, with 672 injured, bringing the cumulative death toll since October 2023 to a staggering 69,513, the majority of whom are children and women.
The Ambassador said the international community must hold Israel accountable for its actions and ensure that those responsible for the atrocities are brought to justice.