“Gaza a graveyard for Children“ - Germany, protect civilian lives in Gaza!

“Gaza has become a graveyard for children.” UN President António Guterres made this statement in November last year (source: UN). Since then, the situation worsens day by day.

Therefore we call on the federal government, in particular Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Anna-Lena Baerbock to:

- immediately stop arms deliveries, looking forward to peace negotiations

- to campaign for the release of the Israeli hostages and the arrested Palestinian children

- to advocate vigorously for an immediate and lasting ceasefire

- to immediately insist comprehensive humanitarian support for the people of Gaza

As a result of Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people died and over 5,000 people were injured, Israel launched an offensive in the Gaza Strip that has now been going on for six months. As a result, a growing humanitarian catastrophe is developing.

Meanwhile more than 31.000 people died in Gaza of whom 70% are women and children. At least 7.700 people are missing approximately buried under the rubble. 

Almost 75.000 more Palestinians are injured. At least 1,7 Million Palestinians (75% of Gaza’s population) are displaced following the growing attacks on the Strip. 

(Source: WHO, 12.03.2024)

The ongoing military attacks have already destroyed large parts of Gaza's infrastructure. At least 35% of all buildings were destroyed or damaged. Almost half of the agricultural land is unusable or partially no longer usable.

Estimated over 370 schools were damaged or destroyed. All 12 universities in Gaza were at least partially damaged or destroyed. Almost 100 health facilities, including 30 hospitals, are damaged. Barely 25% of primary health care facilities are still functioning.

According to UN, it will yet already take tens of billions in contributions and at least a decade to repair the destruction

Especially during the past weeks weeks, the food shortage has become increasingly severe as a result of the destruction of agricultural crops and the insufficient aid deliveries to the coastal strip

According to the IPC, almost all of the 2.2 million inhabitants suffer from serious food insecurity, half of them (1.1 million) even suffer from catastrophic food insecurity. According to forecasts, this situation will worsen even more drastically if humanitarian aid deliveries are not expanded significantly.

The situation is particularly tragic among children, who make up around half of the population in the Gaza Strip

At least 10% of children in northern Gaza are already suffering from acute malnutrition, and 27 children have already died as a result. Almost all children are at risk of acute hunger.

At least 17,000 children are separated from their families. Estimates suggest that at least 25,000 children lost one or both parents as a result of the military offensive.

More than 10 children per day lose at least one of their limbs.

The Palestinian Commission on Detainees' and Ex-Detainees' Affairs estimates that since October 7 around 460 children were imprisoned. This is a jump from previous estimates that around 500 to 700 Palestinian children are imprisoned and held in Israeli military custody per year.

According to the latest surveys, almost 70% of the Germans think that Israel's military actions are unjustified.

In addition, the Federal Republic of Germany must face the accusation of aiding and abetting genocide before the International Court of Justice on April 9, 2024.

The unbearable suffering of Gaza's civilian population must be stopped immediately and sustainably. The Federal Republic must consistently work to protect them.