ICHG and ISSOP joint statement on the Israel-Gaza conflict 

The International Child Health Group and International Society for Social Pediatrics and Child Health are deeply concerned about and condemn the grave violations to the rights of children both Palestinian and Israeli. This latest conflict poses serious immediate and long-term risks to child health and survival.

The violence against children in Gaza by Israel must stop now and the children taken hostage by Hamas must be immediately returned to Israel and their families. The mental and physical well being of these children must be considered paramount and a priority of the international community.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening, with a lack of water, food, electricity and the denial of humanitarian aid causing an immediate threat to life. Severe disruption to healthcare through destruction of infrastructure and killing of healthcare workers is impeding the care of acutely unwell and injured children, those with chronic diseases needing ongoing medical attention, the delivery of routine services such as vaccination, newborn care and the care of disabled children with devastating consequences. The care needs of pregnant women and their unborn children are also greatly affected especially for those requiring antenatal or intrapartum care during this time. 

As child health professionals we are equally concerned about the psychological health of children experiencing extreme violence, displacement, bereavement, and orphanhood. Lack of access to safe education and play is likely to have long term consequences on the cognitive and social development of the generation of children and young people caught-up in this conflict. 

We call on all child health professionals to write to their elected official to urge them to press their government to end the grave violations of the rights of children in this conflict by:

  • Facilitating an immediate ceasefire 

  • Securing an immediate release of all children and their families being held in detention and/or as a hostage

  • Ensuring an immediate end to the withholding of water, food and fuel supplies into Gaza

  • Facilitating full and unfettered access to humanitarian aid for the population of Gaza, with needs-based distribution of aid regardless of political and security considerations

  • Medical facilities within Gaza must be protected, with additional Paediatric medical and rehabilitation specialists and trauma-informed mental health professionals deployed as soon as possible

  • Trauma-informed mental health services should also be provided to Israeli children directly or indirectly affected by recent events

  • Evacuation of children requiring tertiary or quaternary paediatric care must be facilitated, with parents or family members allowed to accompany children and return to Gaza after treatment

  • Plans for the reconstruction of schools, health facilities, rehabilitation services and other child-focused facilities in Gaza should be developed now, with the commitment of required resources from the international community

  • Holding all parties to the conflict, as well as the international community, accountable to international humanitarian law, in particular stopping attacks on schools, health facilities and aid workers

  • Initiating the diplomacy required to bring long-term safety to all children in the region