Gaza Metropolis – Dozens of kids gathered round one another, jostling and evaluating their art work, an incongruous sight in the course of a sea of makeshift tents arrange for displaced Palestinians within the courtyard of al-Shifa Hospital.
Many youngsters had painted the Palestinian flag, whereas others drew their houses.
A few of them had brilliant designs painted on their faces by the youth volunteers operating the occasion, who all hoped {that a} temporary respite from the grinding distress of being in Gaza would do the kids good.
“We all know that this won’t resolve their trauma, nevertheless it’s a small effort to distract them and uplift their moods somewhat,” Nadim Hamed Jad, one of many organisers, mentioned.
The occasion was the fourth of its form since Sunday, organisers advised Al Jazeera.
“Everybody within the Gaza Strip, from the aged to the kids, goes via hell as a result of Israeli bombing and destruction we see day by day,” Jad mentioned.
Jad recognised that portray and drawing on youngsters’s faces isn’t going to repair every little thing, however that it’d assist them let go of their fears briefly.
After 20 days of relentless Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip, greater than 7,000 Palestinians have been killed, together with 2,913 youngsters, and almost 2,000 girls and women. Greater than 17,500 individuals have been injured, based on the most recent knowledge from the authorities in Gaza, who additionally mentioned there are an estimated 1,500 individuals caught below the rubble of their houses, together with at the least 800 youngsters.
Some 50,000 displaced Palestinians have taken refuge in al-Shifa.
Seven-year-old Suha Shublaq drew her home, not realizing if it was nonetheless standing or destroyed.
“I’ve seen so many lifeless individuals,” she mentioned. “I need a ceasefire so I can return to my residence in Shaaf neighbourhood within the metropolis.”
Hasan Thaher, 10, is from the northern neighbourhood of Karamah, which was flattened by Israeli bombs within the first week of the offensive.
“We needed to depart and are available right here,” he mentioned, drawing a Palestine flag and colouring it in.
“I would like my life again. I used to play on the swings and go to the store on my own and play with my toys. I miss my automobiles, my toy weapons and my kitchen toys.”
Jana Elwan mentioned she drew a cat as a result of she needed the youthful youngsters to admire her art work.
“I want for a ceasefire as a result of they maintain bombing our houses,” Suha mentioned. “I miss taking part in with my mates exterior and may’t wait to try this once more.”
Jad, the youth activist, mentioned the message from the kids may be very clear.
“Behind them is a tent filled with lifeless our bodies, individuals killed inside their very own houses by an Israeli air assault,” he mentioned.
“However what do the kids need? A secure peaceable life and the power to precise ourselves with out worry.”
“All of us need this struggle to finish. We will speak about humanitarian help and no matter else later, however proper now, everybody needs this destruction and killing to cease,” he added.
