Credits: Crisis Group
Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan, an American-Jordanian pediatric physician, has raised alarming allegations of deliberate child executions in Gaza, reportedly carried out by Israeli soldiers. Having visited Gaza multiple times since October, Dr. Haj-Hassan has firsthand accounts of these troubling incidents. “If I hadn’t been there and witnessed children shot by Israeli forces, I would struggle to believe that summary child executions are happening in Gaza. See the full CBS report and then mobilize to stop this,” she stated in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Dr. Haj-Hassan’s statement references a report by CBS News, which includes the testimony of Jewish-American surgeon Mark Perlmutter. Dr. Perlmutter spent two weeks working in Gaza and has claimed to witness Palestinian children being shot deliberately.
These allegations are part of a broader and deeply rooted conflict between Israel and Palestine, which has persisted for decades. The conflict’s current escalation began with intense clashes in Jerusalem, leading to heightened hostilities in Gaza. Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, and other militant groups fired rockets into Israel, prompting a forceful military response. The ensuing violence has resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza.
Human rights organizations and international observers have repeatedly called attention to the severe impact of the conflict on civilians, particularly children. According to the United Nations, the ongoing blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, restricting the flow of essential goods, including medical supplies and food. The blockade, coupled with periodic military escalations, has created an environment of perpetual insecurity and suffering for Gaza’s residents.
Reports of deliberate targeting of children, if verified, would represent a severe violation of international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilians, especially minors, in conflict zones. The Geneva Conventions explicitly prohibit the targeting of children and other non-combatants, underscoring the international community’s obligation to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
The international response to these allegations has been swift and vocal. Human rights advocates, medical professionals, and political leaders worldwide are calling for independent investigations into the reported incidents. These calls aim to ensure accountability and to protect vulnerable populations in Gaza from further harm.
The Israeli government, in response to similar allegations in the past, has maintained that its military operations in Gaza are conducted in accordance with international law and that efforts are made to minimize civilian casualties. However, the persistent reports of civilian harm and the specific allegations of targeting children have intensified demands for transparency and accountability.