The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), Virginia Gamba, is urgently drawing attention to the plight of children affected by the violence between Israel and Lebanon. Children have been killed, maimed and thousands have been displaced, with schools and medical facilities either closed, damaged, or destroyed, leaving their physical safety and well-being constantly under threat from the conflict.
“When parties to a conflict are unable to find common ground for peaceful resolution, when military objectives overshadow humanitarian concerns, and when war uproots entire communities, it is imperative to remind that the protection of children must be put at the forefront,” said Virginia Gamba.
The Special Representative is particularly alarmed by reports of the increasing number of civilian casualties, including Lebanese and Israeli children, as well as humanitarian workers, including UN staff and is calling on all parties for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
“The violence must end, for the sake of the children. Political and military interests should not take precedence over children’s lives, safety, and futures of children in the occupied West bank, Gaza, Israel and Lebanon. Ceasing hostilities and priming dialogue are the best solutions to protect children from use and abuse by, in and for armed conflict,” Virginia Gamba reminded.
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Note to editors: The Children and Armed Conflict mandate reports and verifies on six grave violations common in situations of armed conflict. The six grave violations are recruitment and use, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence, abduction, attacks on schools and hospitals and denial of humanitarian access to children.
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For additional information, please contact:
Ariane Lignier, Communications Officer, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (ariane.lignier@un.org)
Instagram: @nochildreninwar, Twitter: @childreninwar
