MANILA, Philippines – In a joint statement, at least 100 Nobel laureates called for the protection of children caught in violent conflict in Israel and the Gaza strip.

“We have been deeply shocked by the children killed during the massacres by Hamas and the children killed in the subsequent widespread bombing of Gaza by Israel,” the statement issued on October 31, Tuesday, read.

“There is a grave risk of an even greater loss of life in the coming weeks, and children in other countries are also at risk. Palestinian children are our children. Israeli children are our children. We cannot consider ourselves civilized if this is what we do.”

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Notable laureates who signed the statement include the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Maria Ressa, Rappler’s chief executive officer; her co-awardee Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov; and former Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta, who won the peace prize in 1996.

The Nobel laureates called for the release of all kidnapped children, stating that they “must be given safe passage away from conflict.”

“Children can’t be deprived of water, food, healthcare, and shelter. Children and vulnerable individuals must receive humanitarian aid immediately,” they said.

“The lives of the one million children living in the Gaza Strip and the three million children living in Israel must be prioritized and protected,” they added.

According to information from the Gaza Health Ministry, as of October 30, over 8,000 Palestinians, mostly minors and women, have been killed in the war so far.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported 1,400 Israeli deaths as of October 30.

Despite mounting international calls for a humanitarian ceasefire, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed calls to ending Israeli’s offensive in Gaza, stating that it would be equivalent to “surrendering to terrorism.”

The Nobel laureates emphasized in their joint statement that they were calling for the protection of children on both sides of the conflict.

“Many protests and leaders have rushed to remember the loss of life of only one group of children. But surely we have room in our hearts for both… we invite anyone who supports lasting peace for all children living in Israel, in Palestine, and beyond to do the same. They are all our children.”

Read the full statement here:

– Rappler.com

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