- United States
- Mo.
- Letter
I am writing to you regarding a deeply concerning attack that occurred on Tuesday, 16th April 2024. It has now been well reported that occupation forces carried out an attack targeting a playground near the Maghazi refugee camp in Gaza, resulting in the loss of 20 Palestinian lives, including 11 children.
This tragic incident occurred during what was described as “rush hour,” exacerbating the impact on the densely populated area. The playground, frequented by displaced children, became the site of unimaginable devastation. Numerous individuals were also wounded in the massacre and required urgent medical attention, with many being transported to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital for treatment.
This heartbreaking event is part of a larger pattern of violence and aggression against civilians, particularly children, in the region by Israel. It is deeply distressing to learn that Israeli forces have been directly targeting children for months, employing not only rockets and missiles but also bullets. The tragic case of Sally Abi Laila, a 5-year-old child who was fatally shot in the head while in the arms of her mother, Sabreen, serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of such actions.
As your constituent, I urge you to take immediate and decisive action to address this alarming situation. It is imperative that steps are taken to ensure the protection of civilian lives, especially children, and to prevent further loss of life.
I must also remind you that despite the United Nations Security Council’s vote for an immediate ceasefire and the start of hostage returns—a proposition to which Hamas has agreed—Israel refuses to comply. Israel’s non-compliance, despite being on trial for genocide at the highest court in the world and ignoring pleas from its closest allies, underscores its rogue status.
The situation in Gaza is deteriorating daily, with the evidence of genocide becoming ever more irrefutable. I write to you today to ensure that you cannot claim ignorance of these facts. The urgency and severity of these war crimes cannot be overstated, and it is imperative that we act with conviction and clarity in response.
Sanctions are needed NOW, alongside a full arms embargo and permanent change to policies around Israel while it continues to operate what Amnesty International describes as an Apartheid State.
