Misery of Palestinian children
Rights group says Israeli occupation has damaged the lives of thousands.
Published On 5 Apr 2007
“This brings the total number of children killed since the beginning of the second intifada in September 2000, by the Israeli army and illegal Israeli settlers, to 860.”
Additionally, 5,200 Palestinian children have been arrested by the Israeli army and about 400 are still being held in Israeli prisons and interrogation centres, the statement said.
Palestinian children also suffer unusually levels of stress and mental problems – largely as a result of living in a state of near-constant insecurity.
A child’s story
Typical of many Palestinian children is Amna Ghaben. Ten years old, her name in Arabic means to be safe and secure but she has enjoyed little of either.
A year ago an Israeli rocket landed on her family’s house in Gaza. Her eight-year-old sister, Hadeil, was killed and 11 other family members were injured in the attack.
|
|
| Ismail Ahmad, Amna’s psychiatrist, says drawings can illustrate children’s personalities |
Amna suffered shrapnel wounds all over her body. But although the physical injuries have now healed, she remains mentally traumatised.
“During shelling, I’m with them and their father hugs them too, but they keep telling us this house could be destroyed on our heads,” her mother said.
Dr Ismail Ahmad, a psychiatrist, has been working with Amna since the attack, analysing her drawings.
He says her drawings are a window into how Amna has dealt with the tragedy.
“The smile is gone from Amna’s face, her academic level went down, and she feels insecure in her house,” Ahmad said.
Source: Al Jazeera