this post was submitted on 29 May 2025

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328

‘Unimaginable horrors’: more than 50,000 children reportedly killed or injured in the Gaza Strip (www.unicef.org)

submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml to c/world@lemmy.world

42 comments fedilink hide all child comments

AMMAN, 27 May 2025 – “In a 72-hour period this weekend, images from two horrific attacks provide yet more evidence of the unconscionable cost of this ruthless war on children in the Gaza Strip.

“On Friday, we saw videos of the bodies of burnt, dismembered children from the al-Najjar family being pulled from the rubble of their home in Khan Younis. Of 10 siblings under 12 years old, only one reportedly survived, with critical injuries.

“Since the end of the ceasefire on 18 March, 1,309 children have reportedly been killed and 3,738 injured.

In total, more than 50,000 children have reportedly been killed or injured since October 2023. How many more dead girls and boys will it take? What level of horror must be livestreamed before the international community fully steps up, uses its influence, and takes bold, decisive action to force the end of this ruthless killing of children?

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[–] barneypiccolo@lemm.ee 25 points 1 day ago (2 children)

For comparison, about 58,000 American soldiers died in the entire Vietnam war, over about 10 years. Israel has killed 50,000 children, since October 2023.

[–] Treczoks@lemmy.world 13 points 1 day ago (1 children)

~~killed~~ murdered. This all is 100% intentional.

[–] barneypiccolo@lemm.ee 3 points 1 day ago

Valid.

[–] GaMEChld@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

How many Vietnamese died?

[–] Mrkawfee@lemmy.world 60 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

The West, through it's genocidal colony Israel, now represents indiscriminate child murder, the bombing of hospitals and schools and starvation of children.

The moral emptiness and racist, authoritarian core of the West has been laid bare

[+] cygnus@lemmy.ca -35 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (6 children)

The West, through it’s [sic] genocidal colony Israel

Israel being genocidal doesn't excuse racist comments like this.

[–] rumimevlevi@lemmings.world 5 points 1 day ago

Where is the racism?

[–] SoftestSapphic@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Lazy troll

Zionists are Nazis

[–] BertramDitore@lemm.ee 26 points 2 days ago (1 children)

There was nothing racist about this comment. The West has provided billions of dollars of unconditional support to the racist, Islamophobic, child-killing, amoral, death-obsessed state of Israel. And I’m a Jew, in case you were considering tossing the antisemitism card.

If you need cold hard numbers, 82% of the Israeli public supports the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

The West’s behavior can of course be accurately described as colonial, neocolonial, or imperialist. Choose whatever murderous exploitative term you want, but please wake up and see the world for what it is. The West has directly supported the murder of countless people.

[+] cygnus@lemmy.ca -17 points 2 days ago (3 children)

That doesn't make Israel a colony of anybody's. Is Saudi Arabia a colony of the US? Is the CAR a colony of Russia?

[–] FluorideMind@lemmy.world 22 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Israel was created by the West from the British colony of Palestine. So yeah? How is that racist btw?

[+] cygnus@lemmy.ca -16 points 2 days ago (4 children)

No, it was not. Israel was recommended by the UN, after which Arab states revolted and tried to expel Jews form the region. The latter won the war and declared the creation of Israel. That in no way makes it a colony of the UK or "the west".

[–] rumimevlevi@lemmings.world 5 points 1 day ago

Arab countries didn't try to expell jews they tried to stop an occupying project

[–] BreadstickNinja@lemmy.world 13 points 2 days ago

"Recommended by the UN" is the exact same fucking thing as "created by the west." Who do you think holds and has historically held power at the UN besides all the same colonial powers of the west? An absurd lie to claim this distinction is a difference.

[–] StupidBrotherInLaw@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

From the Oxford dictionary:

Colony
noun

a country or area under the full or partial political control of another country, typically a distant one, and occupied by settlers from that country.

a group of people of one nationality or ethnic group living in a foreign city or country.

An area in another country "recommended by the UN" that is then progressively inhabited by settlers moving from other countries. Totally not a colony at all, not one bit.

[–] lazynooblet@lazysoci.al 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I bet you're real fun at parties.

[–] StupidBrotherInLaw@lemmy.world 15 points 2 days ago (1 children)

You should spend a few minutes learning about the history of Israel.

[–] Mrkawfee@lemmy.world 9 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Reasons why it's a Western colony and your accusation of racism (not antisemitism?) is absurd:

$12.5 billion in aid from the US since 7th October represents massive ongoing subsidisation as a military outpost for Western interests.

Israel is unable to sustain it's genocide and wars without direct and continuous weapons transfers from the US and Europe.

Israel is completely dependent on Western technology transfers, investment and market access.

Military technology development is largely funded by and shared with Western allies.

Israel acts as a testing ground and laboratory for US and European weapons systems.

Israel relies on Western diplomatic cover for its survival

Domestic Israeli politics is based on the need to maintain Western support.

Many colonial settlers are European or American in origin.

Zionism's original mission was according to Theodore Herzl as a "rampart of Europe against Asia". This is no different to the "civilising mission" justification of Western colonialism.

Israel serves as an outpost of Western interest in preventing Arab unity. A Western objective since the end of World War 1.

As Biden famously said. "If there was no Israel, we would have to invent an Israel."

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca -2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

$12.5 billion in aid from the US since 7th October represents massive ongoing subsidisation as a military outpost for Western interests.

This is true but hardly makes them a colony.

Israel is unable to sustain it’s genocide and wars without direct and continuous weapons transfers from the US and Europe.

Also true, but this doesn't make them a colony. Saudi Arabia depends on western arms too. Are they a colony?

Israel is completely dependent on Western technology transfers, investment and market access.

As is the whole region (either to the west, Russia, or China)

Military technology development is largely funded by and shared with Western allies.

Does this make NATO a colony?

Israel acts as a testing ground and laboratory for US and European weapons systems.

Does this make Pakistan a Chinese colony?

Israel relies on Western diplomatic cover for its survival

Does this make Kosovo a colony?

Domestic Israeli politics is based on the need to maintain Western support.

Does this make Saudi Arabia a colony?

Many colonial settlers are European or American in origin.

Phew, good thing we're not being racist here, eh?

Zionism’s original mission was according to Theodore Herzel as a “bulwark of Western civilization against Oriental savagery”. This is no different to the “civilising mission” of Western Empires.

That makes Israel imperialist, but doesn't make them a colony.

Israel serves as an outpost of Western interest in preventing Arab unity. A Western objective since the end of World War 1.

If this is true, why do Arab states prefer to normalize relations with Israel rather than help Palestinians? They are at least as complicit in this genocide as "the west".

[–] Mrkawfee@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

I appreciate your response. With NATO, the difference is that members retain sovereignty over domestic affairs. Israel's existence depends on performing anti-Arab functions for Western empire.

Similarly Saudi Arabia primarily serves its own interests (e.g. oil wealth, being a regional power) while cooperating with the West. Israel's core mission of eliminating Palestinians and keeping the region divided primarily serves Western imperial needs.

The settler project was funded and organized by Western powers as imperial strategy, not organic migration. It's very similar to British migration of Australia or French migration to Algeria. I'm not sure how that is racist.

You're absolutely right that Arab regimes normalization/passivity makes them co-conspirators, with Empire. But I think this just strengthens the imperial analysis - Western power has successfully co-opted regional elites into maintaining the system.

I take your point that dependence doesn't equal colonial status. It would be more accurate to see Israel as an imperial garrison as its purpose is serving Western imperial objectives against regional populations.

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca -1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

It would be more accurate to see Israel as an imperial garrison as its purpose is serving Western imperial objectives against regional populations.

I dislike even this assessment. The accusation that Israel is a colony or garrison is, counterintuitively, imperialist and "western supremacist". I constantly see implications that they are just puppets of the US, and the same rationalisation applied to other countries in the ME or Africa, where they are implied to be not fully aware of their actions and perhaps a little bit savage. Even your point here

But I think this just strengthens the imperial analysis - Western power has successfully co-opted regional elites into maintaining the system.

is a suggestion that the poor old house of Saud can't be imperialist on its own, and all that they do they learned from Europeans. It's essentially the flip side of the White Man's Burden and I reject it completely. Arabs are perfectly able of being imperialist and to claim otherwise shows a glaring lack of historical context. Saudis have agency. So do Israelis and Syrians and Nigerians. They are not puppets of the US or Russia or China. The genocide that Israel is committing rests solely on the shoulders of Israel.

[–] Mrkawfee@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Yes I think you're right in that it is Israel's choice to eliminate the Palestinians and the Arab elites, and Turkey and Iran for that matter, have agency in supporting their own imperial ambitions in the region and aren't just Western or Russian puppets.

But there is strong convergence with Western interests in seeing the Palestinians eliminated and in Israel's case they couldn't achieve this without a constant supply of weapons, technology transfers and diplomatic shielding as well as domestic repression of dissent by Western powers. Israel and the West are partners in genocide even if the moral responsibility for the genocide falls squarely on Israel.

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca -1 points 1 day ago (2 children)

But there is strong convergence with Western interests in seeing the Palestinians eliminated

I really don't think so. My impression is that the west doesn't particularly care about Palestinians -- certainly not enough to want them gone -- and would very much prefer for Israel to stop. Israel is a useful ally in the "unsinkable aircraft carrier" sense but a repeat of the 40s (or 60s, or 70s) would be bad for everyone. Israel should frankly STFU and be content with what they have.

[–] Mrkawfee@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

They cared in the past though. Previous "mowing the lawn" massacres like Operation Cast Lead were cut short after only a few weeks because of pressure from the US. Back in the 1980s Reagan accused Begin of committing a "Holocaust" in the invasion of Lebanon and the Sabra and Shatilla massacres were met with revulsion in the West.

The question then is why would they be indifferent to a full blown genocide now? You mention Kissinger-esque realpolitik in your other reply but that wasn't any different under Obama.

Ultimately I think we are arguing the same things. Whether one frames Israel as a colony or garrison state or ally of the West it is viewed (by the West) as a rampart of Western power that can't be easily replicated. Perhaps the reason the genocide is tolerated is that the West, unlike in earlier eras, is in structural decline and it needs to hang on to it's strategic assets at all costs.

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca -1 points 1 day ago

Perhaps the reason the genocide is tolerated is that the West, unlike in earlier eras, is in structural decline and it needs to hang on to it’s strategic assets at all costs.

I agree that this is probably a factor. Everything is on shaky ground. If the US weren't run by a lunatic we might see a more coordinated condemnation of Israel, but I suspect the war in Ukraine is a major factor here, and China's ticking deadline to make an attempt on Taiwan.

[–] rumimevlevi@lemmings.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Why the west isn't imposing sanctions dirrectly on the genocidal government? Many western countries lied about no longer selling arms to israel

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca 0 points 1 day ago

Why the west isn’t imposing sanctions dirrectly on the genocidal government?

I think because their governments believe the geopolitical convenience of having Israel on side outweighs the moral aspects. That's of course a psychopathic, Kissinger-esque conclusion to reach, but it isn't much different than the way the US and EU are stringing along Ukraine rather than giving them the tools they need to decisively end the Russian invasion.

[–] BreadstickNinja@lemmy.world 13 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Nothing in this comment is racist. Israel colonized (and continues to incrementally colonize more of) Palestine. It is also committing genocide, according to a wide range of scholars on genocide. Therefore, it is a genocidal colony.

But while there is nothing racist in that statement, you are by contrast a despicable racist. Apologetics defending the ethnic cleansing and mass murder of children - slaughtering indigenous peoples in their homeland based on ethnic background - is as racist as it gets. Your defense of white supremacy is unforgivable.

[+] cygnus@lemmy.ca -13 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

But while there is nothing racist in that statement, you are by contrast a despicable racist. Apologetics defending the ethnic cleansing and mass murder of children - slaughtering indigenous peoples in their homeland based on ethnic background - is as racist as it gets. Your defense of white supremacy is unforgivable.

Haha what? Nice try. I literally said Israel was genocidal. My point is that it's possible to illustrate that within being a racist. It's the difference between saying "Somalia is a failed state" and "Somalia is a failed state because it's inhabited by black people".

[–] stephen01king@lemmy.zip 14 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Where did they mention race in the part of the comment you quoted?

[–] EndlessNightmare@reddthat.com 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

They didn't. It's a ridiculous strawman.

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca 0 points 1 day ago

The strawman is the user saying I'm defending Israel's actions, when I've done absolutely nothing of the sort. Their entire government needs to be brought to the ICC.

[–] rumimevlevi@lemmings.world 2 points 1 day ago

We are familiar with hypocrites like you

[–] Viking_Hippie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

The West is a geopolitical, financial military and cultural conglomeration of the world's richest countries, not a race.

And yes, Israel very much IS an example of Western colonialism. That's what it's been from the start and it'll never not be.

It's an apartheid ethnostate by design. Doesn't get much more Western Colonialism than that.

[–] Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 15 points 2 days ago

But we can't call it a genocide!

-CBC/Radio-Canada

[–] BetaBlake@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Aaron Bushnell, I'm sorry this world doesn't give enough of a shit to change it's ways.

[–] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 9 points 2 days ago

Aaron Bushnell and others sacrificed themselves in the hopes of stopping the massacre and the state works to make us feel their sacrifice was made in vain, that there is no hope in escalating for Gaza and no point in bringing the war home. We can't let them succeed. Their sacrifices were not made in vain. - Elias Rodriguez.