November 20th marks the annual celebration of World Children’s Day, a global initiative that emphasizes the importance of promoting the rights, safety, education, health and overall happiness of children worldwide. Unfortunately, this year’s observance takes place amidst Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, where nearly half of the population of 2.3 million is made up of children.

In the past six weeks, Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 5,500 children, as reported by Palestinian officials. This equates to an average of one Palestinian child being killed every 10 minutes. Moreover, around 1,800 children are still missing under the rubble, with many feared to be dead. Additionally, a staggering 9,000 children have been injured as a result of the conflict. Tragically, many of these children have already experienced the trauma of multiple wars in their short lives.

An infographic released on social media displays the names and ages of less than half of the children who have been killed in the past six weeks. This serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that the ongoing conflict is having on innocent lives in Gaza. On a day dedicated to celebrating children’s rights and well-being it is imperative to acknowledge and address their urgent need for protection and safety in areas affected by conflict and violence.

This year’s World Children’s Day must serve as a call to action for all nations to come together in solidarity with Palestinian children and demand an end to this brutal conflict that has been causing immense suffering for generations. It is time for peace and prosperity for all children regardless of where they live or what circumstances they were born into.