List of dead Gaza children in British papers for charity

IN its gesture of true solidarity for the plight of Gazans, NGO organisation ‘Save the Children” walked the extra mile in initiating a bid to raise money for the citizens of Gaza by placing a full-page advertisement in British newspapers earlier this week.

Boasting a black background, the advertisement reflects the names of 373 Palestinian children killed in after Israel’s Operation Protection Edge enters day 29 in Gaza. The advertisement is part of the charity’s campaign for a permanent ceasefire. (At Press time, the number of children killed in the aggression stands at 415.)

The names of the children followed the list of the Palestinian Ministry of Health and United Nations (OCHA) report of children who have died between July 8 and August 3, al-Arabia paper reported quoting AFP.

Essentially, readers of the British papers are encouraged to send text messages as part of the campaign to force a permanent ceasefire “for the children of Gaza and Israel”.

As a temporary ceasefire enters its third day on Thursday, Israeli and Palestinian delegations are furiously trying to extend the initial 72-hour truce - due to expire on Friday.

The Save the Children website stated that the public health system in Gaza was “close to collapse” with half a million people displaced from their homes, the Arabic portal reported.

Save the Children's co-country director David Hassell said: “For the sake of children and their families, we are hoping that this ceasefire holds.

“It is desperately needed, as essential services in Gaza have all but collapsed and we are struggling to reach the most vulnerable children caught in this conflict,” quoted the portal.

An ongoing petition -- Save the Children website which will be sent to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon aims “to speak out against the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and to work towards a lasting resolution to the crisis.”

“Together, we can ensure no child, Palestinian or Israeli, has to suffer the terrors of war again,” the website reported.

AFP reported that the ceasefire has brought relief to both sides after 1,886 Palestinians and 9,560 wounded since the start of the Israeli offensive.

Of those whose identities have been verified, 1,354 were civilians, or 73 percent, UN humanitarian agency OCHA said. The number includes 415 children and 214 women.

OCHA also reported that 216 dead Palestinians have been identified as members of armed groups.