A heartbreaking story has emerged from Gaza, where a 5-year-old girl named Jenin was left orphaned after her family was killed in a missile strike. The attack, which occurred during Ramadan, claimed the lives of 25 of Jenin’s relatives, including her father and siblings.
The conflict in Gaza has resulted in a staggering loss of life, with over 15,000 children killed, according to the local health ministry. Many children have been left orphaned, losing not just their parents but also siblings and other close relatives.
One 12-year-old boy, Sameer, was the sole survivor of a strike that killed his parents and siblings. “I wasn’t scared before, because I had my family around me. Right now, I am scared to lose more people,” he said.
The United Nations has reported a significant increase in cases of malnutrition among children in northern Gaza, and hundreds of children have been killed in recent attacks.
Egypt has attempted to broker a ceasefire, but Israel continues to bombard Gaza, refusing to lift a blockade on aid entering the Strip.
The devastating impact of the conflict on Gaza’s children cannot be overstated. As one young boy said, “I just want to forget the war.”