We welcome the announcement at the weekend of a ceasefire in Gaza, a crucial and long-awaited step towards ending unimaginable suffering endured by children and young people and their families and caregivers.
However, as we read of people returning to homes that no longer exist, we see immediately that the devastation wrought by this conflict will continue to cast a long shadow over the lives of the innocent, and that their journeys toward healing and rebuilding are only just beginning.
As we stated last year, every war is a war against children. Gaza remains one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a child, and the consequences of this conflict have left an indelible mark on an entire generation. Ten of thousands of children and young people have lost their lives, while many others face the lasting impact of physical and emotional trauma. Their homes, schools, and communities lie in ruins, and essential services – including healthcare, water and food supplies – remain critically scarce.
The ceasefire must serve as a foundation for urgent and sustained humanitarian action. Humanitarian corridors must be fully opened, and aid workers must have unrestricted access to deliver life-saving supplies. Children and their families need immediate access to shelter, clean water, food and healthcare. Additionally, robust efforts must be made to support young survivors with mental health and psychosocial services, especially through child helpline services and community-based care systems that can provide long-term assistance.
The ceasefire must be a turning point for achieving lasting peace. We call on all parties and their interlocutors to uphold this ceasefire and work toward a permanent and peaceful resolution to the conflict. Accountability and justice for violations against children must be pursued, and the rights and safety of children must be placed at the centre of all peace-building efforts.
Children are not collateral damage. Their lives, futures, and wellbeing must be prioritized above all else. A peaceful future for Gaza, and for all children in the region, demands more than an end to violence – it requires unwavering commitment to the dignity and humanity of every child.
We stand in solidarity with all efforts to ensure this moment of peace is not fleeting but becomes the foundation for a sustainable and just future for Gaza and beyond. Let this be the beginning of a chapter where children and young people can thrive in safety, hope and peace.
Patrick Krens
Executive Director
Child Helpline International
