Foreign Doctors Report Systematic Targeting of Gaza’s Children by Israel

As the conflict between Israel and Gaza continues to escalate, disturbing reports have emerged from foreign medical professionals who have volunteered in the region. These doctors assert that Israeli forces are systematically targeting children, a claim that raises serious concerns about the humanitarian implications of ongoing military operations.

Eyewitness Accounts from Medical Professionals

California trauma surgeon Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, who recently returned from Gaza, initially believed that the cases he encountered were isolated incidents. However, after treating multiple boys who had sustained gunshot wounds to the head at a single hospital, he began to recognize a troubling pattern. “This is targeted fire. Someone is pulling a trigger on a child,” he remarked, emphasizing the deliberate nature of these injuries.

Dr. Sidhwa’s observations were corroborated by forensic pathologists consulted by the Dutch newspaper *Volkskrant*. These experts reviewed X-rays of the injuries and confirmed that the wounds were consistent with long-range sniper or drone fire, rather than shrapnel from explosions. Former Dutch army commander Mart de Kruif echoed these sentiments, noting that the high number of children shot in critical areas such as the head and chest made the notion of accidental injuries implausible.

Alarming Statistics

In a comprehensive analysis of the situation, *Volkskrant* reported that 15 out of 17 doctors surveyed had treated children under the age of 15 who had suffered single bullet wounds to either the head or chest. During their missions in Gaza, these medical professionals identified a total of 114 such cases, many of which resulted in fatalities, while others left the young victims with life-altering injuries.

Raji Sourani, the director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), stated that the tactics employed by Israeli forces have disproportionately affected children. “The Israeli occupation forces’ attacks have deliberately targeted children by striking residential areas and shelters, rendering children the majority of fatalities,” he asserted.

Reports of Targeted Attacks

In August, the BBC World Service reported over 160 cases of children in Gaza being shot by Israeli forces. Of these, 95 children sustained injuries to the head or chest—injuries that medical professionals assert suggest intentional targeting rather than collateral damage.

A report released in December by the PCHR titled “Generation Wiped Out: Gaza’s Children in the Crosshairs of Genocide” further underscored the gravity of the situation, alleging that Israel is committing genocide against the children of Gaza.

Daily Toll on Children

The United Nations has reported that, on average, 28 children are killed daily in Gaza due to Israeli military operations and the severe restrictions placed on humanitarian aid. Foreign doctors who have volunteered in the region assert that they have treated over 100 children with gunshot wounds to critical areas, reinforcing their claim that these injuries are a result of targeted attacks against minors.

Most of the victims, according to the BBC’s findings, were under the age of 12. The incidents documented span from the initial weeks of the war that began on October 7, 2023, through to July of the following year.

American emergency physician Dr. Mimi Syed, who also contributed to the *Volkskrant* report, documented 18 cases of children shot in the head or chest. She asserted, “This is not crossfire. These are war crimes,” highlighting the severity of the situation and the implications of such targeted violence.

Long-Term Consequences

The impact of the conflict on children in Gaza is catastrophic. The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities reported in September that at least 21,000 children have been left disabled due to the ongoing war. Furthermore, Gaza’s Ministry of Health has indicated that nearly 20,000 children have been killed since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023.

This is not the first time investigations have suggested that Israel is deliberately targeting children. The Israeli military has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that their operations are not aimed specifically at minors.

Conclusion

The accounts from medical professionals and the statistics provided by various organizations paint a troubling picture of the current situation in Gaza. As the conflict persists, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, with children bearing a disproportionate share of the suffering. The allegations of systematic targeting of minors raise urgent questions about the ethics and legality of military operations in densely populated civilian areas.

Key Facts

– Foreign doctors report that Israeli forces are systematically targeting children in Gaza.
– Dr. Feroze Sidhwa documented multiple cases of children shot in the head, indicating targeted fire.
– Forensic pathologists confirmed that injuries were consistent with sniper or drone fire.
– 15 out of 17 doctors reported treating children under 15 with gunshot wounds to critical areas.
– An average of 28 children are killed daily in Gaza due to military operations and humanitarian restrictions.
– Nearly 20,000 children have been reported killed since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023.
– The Israeli military denies allegations of deliberately targeting children.

Source: www.aljazeera.com