Over 13,000 Children Among 42,000 Killed in Gaza: Amnesty International Urges Nigeria to Condemn Civilian Killings

By Mariya Shuaibu Suleiman

Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to join the global community in condemning the ongoing civilian casualties in Gaza, where over 42,000 Palestinians, including more than 13,000 children, have been killed by Israeli forces.

The appeal was made during the Nigerian launch of Amnesty International’s latest report, “You Feel Like You Are Subhuman: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza,” held in Kano on Monday.

Speaking at the event, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Chairperson of Amnesty International Nigeria’s Board of Trustees, stressed Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa and its moral responsibility to advocate for an end to the violence.

“Nigeria has no excuse not to show solidarity against these atrocities committed against women and children,” Rafsanjani stated. “We also call on other African nations to join this call because what happens to someone else today might happen to you tomorrow.”

The report, initially launched in London, documents alleged war crimes committed by Israeli forces in Gaza following Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. It outlines acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention, including mass killings, inflicting serious harm, and creating life conditions aimed at destroying the Palestinian population.

In addition to the staggering death toll, Amnesty highlighted the destruction of critical infrastructure, the displacement of millions, and the dire impact on children. Rafsanjani condemned the international community’s failure to act, criticizing countries such as the United States and Germany for continuing to supply arms to Israel.

“Governments must stop pretending they are powerless to end this genocide,” Rafsanjani said. “States need to move beyond expressions of regret or dismay and take strong and sustained international action to halt these atrocities.”

The event in Kano marked the official Nigerian presentation of the report, amplifying calls for immediate global intervention to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.