Naira Manzoor – The Times of Russia
The streets of Gaza are echoing with the sounds of explosions and the cries of the innocent. Once again, the Israel-Palestine conflict has erupted, and the Gaza Strip is enduring relentless bombardment. Among the ruins and rubble, the most heartbreaking casualties are the children, whose dreams and lives are being shattered. Amidst this human tragedy, an unexpected voice has risen in support of Palestine: Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The latest wave of violence began in East Jerusalem, ignited by tensions at the Al Aqsa Mosque and the looming evictions of Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah. Protests and clashes spread like wildfire, reaching Gaza, where Hamas fired rockets into Israel. The Israeli military responded with overwhelming force, launching airstrikes that have devastated Gaza’s densely populated neighborhoods.
The scenes are harrowing. Buildings that once housed families have been reduced to rubble. Schools that should be filled with the laughter of children are now silent, their walls scarred by bomb blasts. Hospitals are overwhelmed with the injured and dying. The most tragic images are of the children—tiny bodies pulled from the debris, their lives cut tragically short. Parents clutch their lifeless children, their faces etched with indescribable grief and pain.
Children in Gaza are enduring unimaginable horrors. They wake up to the sound of explosions, their nights filled with fear. The places where they should feel safe—their homes, their schools—are no longer sanctuaries. Their innocence is being stolen, replaced with trauma and nightmares. These children, who should be dreaming of their future, are now struggling to survive each day.
In the midst of this devastation, Vladimir Putin has voiced his support for the Palestinian people. He has called for an end to the bombings and emphasized the need to protect innocent lives. While some view his intervention as a strategic move to enhance Russia’s influence in the Middle East, his words resonate with those who are desperate for any glimmer of hope.
The international community is watching in horror as the situation in Gaza worsens. There are urgent calls for a ceasefire, for humanitarian aid to reach those in desperate need, and for a resolution that addresses the underlying causes of this conflict. The world is being urged to remember that behind the politics and the headlines are real people—mothers, fathers, and children—who are suffering.
As Gaza burns, the world must not look away. The cries of its children demand our attention and our action. They are the innocent victims of a conflict they did not create, and they deserve a future free from fear and violence. The international community must come together to stop the bloodshed and to work tirelessly for a just and lasting peace.
The human cost of this conflict is too high. The children of Gaza, with their bright eyes and boundless potential, deserve to live and thrive. They deserve to play in the streets without fear, to attend school safely, and to sleep peacefully at night. We must hear their cries and respond with compassion and urgency. Their future—and our humanity—depends on it.
