Evacuation of 68 Orphans from Gaza to West Bank Sparks Outrage Among Israel's Far Right

Chilling reactions of children were captured at the funeral of the Faojo family, a casualty of an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip on Nov. 11, 2023. At this point in time, one may wonder about the havocs of war, especially those experienced by the innocent children within the conflict zone. But what's unfolding next will grip your interest like nothing else.

Rafah is presently home to approximately 600,000 children, who are desperately finding refuge in the midst of a deteriorating humanitarian crisis, brought about by the ongoing violent conflict between Israel and Hamas. As the casualty count rises, the hope for survival diminishes for those trying to make it in an environment fraught with peril. The situation was bleak until an unexpected intervention promised some relief.

SOS Children's Villages International, an international non-profit organization, coordinated an evacuation for 68 children without parental care, alongside 11 employees and their families. The German embassy had its hand in the operation, which saw these families move from the hazardous situation in Rafah to the relatively safe Israeli-occupied West Bank, specifically Bethlehem.

The evacuated children, whose ages range from 2 to 14, have been moved with the consent from their legal guardians, offering them a fighting chance at a safer future. However, this win is dwarfed by the concerns for those still trapped in the dangerous conditions of Gaza, of which approximately 600,000 are children, many enduring life in makeshift tents due to various shortages, such as food, water, and shelter.

Rafah is still a shelter for over a million Palestinians, and the SOS facility continues to take in children who have lost their parents to war. The dark cloud of war has also brought about an unusual unity and demonstrated the resilience of humanity under duress. Tune in to our next feature to find out more about the untold stories of these children and the relentless efforts of those striving to secure their safety despite the odds.