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First Lady Emine Erdogan has written to U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, urging her to extend the same concern she showed for Ukrainian children to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In her letter, Emine Erdogan emphasized the urgency of addressing the ongoing violence in Gaza, where tens of thousands of civilians, including children, have died in Israeli attacks over the past two years.
“I believe you will show the same sensitivity to Gaza that you have shown to Ukrainian children who have lost their lives in the war,” Erdogan wrote, encouraging Melania Trump to send a strong appeal directly to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
| Indicator | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total civilians killed | 62,000 | Including all ages |
| Children killed | 18,000 | Victims under 18 years |
| Children orphaned / without identity | Thousands | Termed “unknown infants” |
| Children surviving under siege | 1,000,000+ | Still at risk |
| Hunger-related deaths | 281 | Includes 114 children |
Emine Erdogan highlighted the scale of the crisis: 62,000 civilians, including 18,000 children, have been killed in Gaza since 2023. She described the psychological trauma and physical devastation experienced by the survivors, particularly children left orphaned or without identification.
“Children in Gaza are enduring an unparalleled atrocity. The term ‘unknown soldier’ may one day be used for the thousands of children whose identities remain unrecorded. Their suffering and loss of innocence demand global attention,” she added.
The first lady concluded by urging collective action against the international system she described as allowing the suffering of some children to be deemed less important than others, calling for a united stand to restore hope and secure peace.
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