Missing Futures: The urgent need to protect Gaza’s children and safeguard their futures

The ongoing armed conflict in Gaza has inflicted unprecedented and potentially irreversible harm on Palestinian children, with consequences that threaten not only their individual futures but the very fabric of Palestinian society for generations to come. While all parties to the conflict have committed violations of international humanitarian law (IHL), this paper focuses on the systematic undermining of Palestinian children’s fundamental rights as enshrined in IHL and international human rights law (IHRL). The conduct of Israeli forces in Gaza has exacerbated a humanitarian crisis to levels of unprecedented magnitude, with particularly concerning implications for children’s rights.

The widespread destruction of Gaza has eviscerated infrastructure and services, eradicating a safe and healthy environment for surviving children to grow up in. This has resulted in lasting harm for all Gaza’s children, as the key elements that children need to survive, develop and reach their potential has been systematically destroyed.
The scale and severity of harm inflicted on these children not only jeopardises their individual lives but threatens the very fabric of Palestinian society for generations to come. To safeguard these futures and prevent further irreparable damage, urgent and comprehensive action from the international community is needed.

The best way to protect children’s lives and futures is for an immediate, definitive ceasefire. Aid must be allowed to reach children and their families, wherever they are, and international law must be respected. We are calling for immediate intervention from the international community to stop further atrocities and protect civilians. All states must support accountability mechanisms to investigate and address potential war crimes