U.N. Notes that 257 Children Killed in Gaza Strip

Children make up more than half of the population of Gaza, which includes 1.4 million residents jammed into a very small geographic area. While Hamas militants take cover among civilians, Israeli bombs have indiscriminately killed 257 children and wounded over 1,000 more, according to U.N. figures. Samih Hilal, a 14-year-old living in Gaza, has been sneaking out of his grandfather’s house against the wishes of his father, stating his need to get out and not remain cooped up. Said Hilal, "Do you think we are not afraid? Yes, we are. But we have nothing to do but play."

On Monday, Sayed, Mohammed and Raidu Abu Aisheh, ages 12, 8 and 7 respectively, were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit their ground floor apartment. Other members of the family, including Saber Abu Aisheh, their uncle, remained in the building’s basement and survived the blasts. Said Abu Aisheh, "What’s going on is not a war, it’s a mass killing."

Meanwhile, those in Israel have more to fear than mere retaliation from Hamas militants in Gaza. Rockets from Lebanon have recently been fired into Nahariya, Israel. Though the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has denied involvement, some Israelis suspect that group of instigating various radical groups to violent action against Israel. The idea that retaliation for the recent Israeli airstrikes may begin coming from both the south, from Gaza, and the north, from Lebanon, has many Israelis worried, yet determined. Said Sarit Arieli, of Nahariya, "We’re all a bit traumatized at the moment." Arieli added, however, that "I think we’re stronger than them."