'They were just playing football in the streets': Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda describes 'brutal' attacks on children
Bisan recounted how the children, unaware of the dangers around them, were playing football in the streets and among the rubble of partially destroyed buildings before they were killed.
SHAH ALAM - Award-winning Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda recently posted a video reporting on the devastating situation in the northern Gaza Strip, where Israeli's intense bombings have claimed the lives of many children.
She described the attacks as "brutal," noting that they have contributed to an alarming death toll, with 70,000 children reportedly killed by Israeli forces.
Bisan recounted how the children, unaware of the dangers around them, were playing football in the streets and among the rubble of partially destroyed buildings before they were killed.
"They are children; they don't know how to face this, other than by playing. They were killed two hours ago. They were playing around their helpless mothers and fathers," Bisan said.
She emphasised that those remaining in Palestine were the ones determined to stay on their homeland, while many others have been evacuating, moving from the south to the north of Gaza in an attempt to escape targeted attacks.
"They died, just like thousands of other children," she added.
In the Instagram video, Bisan also spoke about a recent massacre at Rafidia School, which occurred two days prior, leaving around 30 casualties.
"We saw children cut into pieces—hands severed, heads, legs—it's horrifying. And these incidents keep reminding us that the Israeli army is trying to normalise this," she said.
Bisan continued to describe the dire situation, explaining how the northern Gaza Strip had been under siege for nine consecutive days. "When people manage to escape to Gaza City in the north, they bomb it. They keep bombing people wherever they are—Jabalia, Beit Lahia, everywhere. It's clear they don’t follow any rules—this is genocide.
"The only goal seems to be killing people. They want to reduce the Palestinian population to zero.
"I know this video will likely be taken down in about 10 hours, and it might not change anything, but I can’t watch this happen alone.
"I feel angry and helpless. I still cannot believe this is happening to our children right now," she said in her video.
