Hamas Murders Children and Holds 38 Hostage in Gaza Terror Attack

Accident – Death – Obituary News : will it end?\” As the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, the toll on children and young people is becoming increasingly devastating.

On October 7, Hamas militants carried out a brutal attack in areas around the border with Gaza, indiscriminately targeting both adults and children. One captured militant provided a chilling account of the attack, stating that they heard children crying from inside a safe room before shooting into the room until everything went silent. This horrifying act resulted in the deaths of several children and the kidnapping of many others.

According to Israeli media reports, Hamas is currently holding 38 children and teenagers as hostages, with the youngest being a nine-month-old baby. The attack also left 21 children orphaned, with 16 of them losing both parents, two being children of single mothers who were killed, and three losing one parent while the other was kidnapped or declared missing.

The impact of the conflict is not limited to Gaza, as children in southern Israel are also suffering. Parents have reported changes in their children’s behavior, with increased aggression and fear. Many children are afraid to sleep in their beds and seek shelter under them instead. The lack of safe areas to protect themselves from rockets has forced families to stay at home, exacerbating the trauma experienced by children.

One particularly heart-wrenching story is that of 12-year-old Liel Hetsroni. Her family was forced to bury personal items in place of her body, as her death has not been officially confirmed. Over 40 days later, her body still remains unidentified, leaving her family in a state of anguish and uncertainty.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the situation is dire. Tens of thousands of Palestinian parents are grappling with the same fears and hardships. The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza has reported that over 4,600 children have been killed, with nearly 9,000 injured. These numbers, however, have not been independently verified.

Gaza has a young population, with nearly half of its residents under the age of 18. Since 2007, the territory has been under a strict blockade by Israel and Egypt, isolating it from the rest of the world. For many children, this is the fifth war they have endured, and it is the worst one yet. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described Gaza as a “graveyard for children,” with hundreds being killed or injured every day.

UNICEF’s executive director Catherine Russell, after visiting Gaza, condemned the grave violations against children, including killings, abductions, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access. Many children are missing and believed to be buried under rubble, while newborn babies in hospitals are dying due to the lack of power and medical supplies.

As the war continues, people in Gaza are left to fend for themselves, with limited help reaching them. Israel has closed its border crossings, and only a few trucks carrying international aid are able to enter through Egypt. The daily struggle for basic necessities such as food, water, and sanitation is compounded by the immense psychological impact on children, who are losing their childhoods and living in constant fear.

The stories of Hind Wishah and Rania Mushtasha highlight the profound impact this war is having on children. Wishah described her children’s constant screaming and the fear of death that looms over them every moment. Mushtasha shared the heartbreaking questions her daughter asks, wondering if the war will happen to them and expressing a fear of dying.

As the conflict rages on, it is imperative that the international community takes immediate action to protect and support the children and young people affected by this crisis. The lives and futures of these innocent individuals are at stake, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being..