The right to life, survival, growth, protection from violence, and maintaining family unity—these are just a few of the fundamental child rights outlined by the United Nations, celebrated annually on November 20.

“Listen to the Future, Stand with Children’s Rights” is the slogan UNICEF has adopted for this year’s World Children’s Day. However, in Gaza, this day arrives with the future of its children remaining uncertain, as their rights continue to be violated under Israeli occupation for over 400 consecutive days.

Victims of Israeli Aggression and Siege

In 2024, World Children’s Day coincides with an alarming reality: tens of thousands of children have fallen victim to Israeli aggression and siege. Schools have been repurposed into shelters, and homes have crumbled into makeshift tents of tattered cloth, leaving children in dire need of food and water.

A Daily Struggle for Survival

For Gaza’s children, the daily struggle revolves around finding sustenance and seeking a semblance of safety. UNICEF highlights the importance of listening to children to uphold their right to self-expression. Yet, the cries and tears of Gaza’s children remain unheard, and no significant efforts have succeeded in protecting them.

While children around the world celebrate their rights on this special day, Gaza’s children are denied even the bare minimum. Many were born, lived, and died during the latest onslaught, while others who survive spend their days dodging bombs and walking miles in search of a scrap of bread.