Foreign Doctors Allege Systematic Targeting of Children in Gaza by Israeli Forces
In a troubling report, foreign medical professionals returning from Gaza have claimed that Israeli forces are deliberately targeting children with sniper and drone fire. This assertion, reported by the Dutch newspaper Volkskrant, is based on the experiences of volunteer doctors who treated over 100 children suffering from severe gunshot wounds, primarily to the head and chest.
Alarming Testimonies from Medical Personnel
The testimonies collected from 17 doctors reveal a disturbing pattern. Fifteen of these medical professionals reported treating children under the age of 15 who had sustained single bullet wounds to critical areas. In total, they identified 114 such cases during their missions in Gaza, with many of the young victims succumbing to their injuries, while others are left with life-altering disabilities.
American emergency physician Mimi Syed, who documented 18 cases of children shot in the head or chest, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “This is not crossfire. These are war crimes.” Her assertion underscores the belief among many medical professionals that these injuries are not incidental but rather indicative of a targeted assault on minors.
California trauma surgeon Feroze Sidhwa initially thought the cases he encountered were isolated incidents. However, upon discussing with other international doctors, he realized the extent of the issue. “This is targeted fire. Someone is pulling a trigger on a child,” he remarked, highlighting the alarming frequency of such injuries.
Forensic Evidence and Expert Opinions
Forensic pathologists consulted by Volkskrant reviewed X-rays of the injured children 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 stated that the sheer number of children shot in these critical areas makes the notion of “accidents” implausible. “This is not collateral damage. It is intentional,” he asserted, reinforcing the claims of deliberate targeting.
Historical Context of Targeting Children
This is not the first time investigations have suggested that Israeli forces are deliberately targeting children. In August, the BBC World Service reported over 160 cases of children shot by Israeli forces, with 95 of those injuries occurring in the head or chest. Most of the victims were under 12 years old, and the incidents spanned from the early weeks of the ongoing conflict that began in October 2023 through July of the following year.
The Israeli military has consistently denied allegations of intentionally targeting children. However, a report released in December by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) titled Generation Wiped Out: Gaza’s Children in the Crosshairs of Genocide accused Israel of committing acts of genocide against Gaza’s children. The report claimed that Israeli forces are deliberately killing children and inflicting severe physical and mental harm, creating conditions that threaten their very existence.
Raji Sourani, the director of PCHR, stated that Israeli tactics have disproportionately affected children, making them the majority of casualties. “The Israeli occupation forces’ attacks have deliberately targeted children by striking residential areas and shelters, rendering children the majority of fatalities,” he said.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The situation in Gaza has reached a critical point, with the Ministry of Health reporting nearly 20,000 children killed since the onset of the conflict on October 7, 2023. The United Nations has indicated that an average of 28 children are being killed daily due to Israeli military operations and the severe restrictions on humanitarian aid. Furthermore, at least 21,000 children have been left disabled as a result of the ongoing violence, according to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Conclusion
The allegations made by foreign doctors regarding the deliberate targeting of children in Gaza raise serious ethical and humanitarian concerns. As the conflict continues, the plight of children remains a focal point of international scrutiny. The testimonies and evidence presented by medical professionals highlight the urgent need for accountability and a reassessment of military strategies that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society. The international community must respond to these claims with the seriousness they warrant, as the consequences of inaction could be dire for future generations in the region.
