Franciscan Ibrahim Faltas: Children in Gaza are denied basic rights, physical and mental development, play, education, dreams

(Patria) - The third year without classes in schools has begun in Gaza. All school buildings have been destroyed and are no longer places of education and growth – emphasizes Father Ibrahim Faltas, a Franciscan and director of schools of the Custody of the Holy Land. In a video sent to Vatican media, the Franciscan explains that for two years, since the war began, schools have served as shelters from Israeli attacks, but since these shelters have also been razed to the ground, there is now neither education nor the possibility of salvation. Children in Gaza are denied the basic rights of childhood: physical and mental development, play, education, dreams, a future – adds a visibly shaken Father Faltas, Vatican News reports.

In early August, UNICEF estimated that more than 18,000 children had been killed in bombings and military operations by the Israeli armed forces during the past 23 months of conflict, an average of 28 children per day. According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 42,000 children have been injured, while the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities reported that at least 21,000 children have sustained lifelong disabilities. Many children are still missing or buried under the rubble.

In the West Bank, children have continued their education normally, although serious difficulties persist throughout the Holy Land. The Custody has numerous educational institutions in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Jericho. The situation in these areas is better than in Gaza, but there is suffering here too due to unemployment, restrictions on freedom of movement, and increased poverty, Father Faltas points out.

- Parents are very concerned about their children's future. Even children in the West Bank fear for their friends in the Gaza Strip or for their loved ones who are at home while they are at school.

- What is the point of all this violence? How will these little ones live if they manage to survive? – wonders the Franciscan, continuing

- The past has been erased for entire generations in Gaza, the present has been made impossible, and the future has been overshadowed. At the end of the video, Father Faltas expresses hope that this inhumane situation will end soon and concludes with a prayer that children in Gaza, the West Bank, and all war-torn countries will return to life in peace and security. We want an end to this war because children are our future and the future of humanity. In Gaza, as all over the world, they have the right to live in peace – concludes the director of the schools of the Custody of the Holy Land.