Region | Palestinian Territories
Kids' plight: Wet beds, recurring nightmares
Medical officials in Gaza said that children are the worst affected since the Israeli assault began, amid warnings that the bombardment and the continuing blockade could spur a new generation to embrace violence.
- By Vita Bekker, Financial Times
- Published: 23:38 January 7, 2009
- Arab leaders can weather storm
- 'When tanks crossed border, explosives fell from all directions'
- Main hospital fighting a desperate battle
- Zawahri urges attacks on Israel, West
- Even UN shelters provide no safety
- Muslim communities united
- Egypt announces ceasefire plan
- Israel haunted by Lebanon mistakes
- Muslim states seek UN session
- Israel rebuffs calls for observers
Medical officials in Gaza said that children are the worst affected since the Israeli assault began, amid warnings that the bombardment and the continuing blockade could spur a new generation to embrace violence.
Gaza's children, who make up more than half of the 1.5 million inhabitants in the impoverished territory, were shell-shocked, relief workers warned.
"They are terrified. The bombing is around the clock and there is no rest at all," said Sajy Al Mughanni, a co-ordinator for the United Nations Children's Fund.
"This could [have an] impact on the children for months or years afterwards."
Most children now spend their time indoors at home, as schools have become makeshift shelters for Palestinians displaced by the assault.
Parents say children have lost their appetites, cling to them, wet beds and have recurring nightmares.
Related Links
They also suffer from the cold, especially at night, as most windows are kept open to avoid them shattering during bombardments.
Your comments
Every eye seeks US president-elect Obama's words. But what have the Arab leader's done for the Gaza massacre? At first they should speak out instead of sending some medicine and food. Arabs are not united, otherwise Israel would not dare to touch Palestine.
Naushad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2009, 10:19
More from Palestinian Territories
More from Region
News Editor's choice
-
Kuwait condemns Houla massacre
Arab League urged to put end to oppression of Syrian people
-
Road crashes main cause of child death in UAE
Death rate among children in car accidents in the UAE is three times higher than global average
-
Last minute ID rush is on
Expatriates in Dubai have thronged typing centres and Emirates ID registration offices to meet the May 31 registration deadline
