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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has again called on world leaders to step up efforts to protect Palestinian children in Gaza, using a high-profile aid concert in Barcelona to draw attention to what he described as their abandonment amid ongoing destruction.
Speaking at a Palestine aid concert held in Barcelona on Thursday, Guardiola voiced his concern for children affected by the conflict in Gaza, a coastal enclave on the eastern Mediterranean that has been at the center of a prolonged Israeli military campaign. Video footage of his remarks later spread widely across social media platforms, amplifying the message beyond the concert venue.
Guardiola spoke in emotional terms about the human cost of the conflict, focusing on children trapped in circumstances beyond their control. He referred to an image of a child searching through rubble for his mother, explaining that the child did not realize she was buried beneath the debris. Reflecting on this scene, he said, “We have left them alone and abandoned,” a line that stood out as the most widely shared part of his speech.
Rather than addressing political actors directly, Guardiola framed his message around the moral responsibility of the international community. He said Palestinian children were effectively calling on the world for help, and he urged leaders to act instead of looking away. His remarks echoed earlier statements he has made in support of civilians in Gaza, particularly minors who have borne the brunt of the conflict.
By focusing on children, Guardiola linked personal empathy with a broader appeal for action, encouraging audiences to think about what young people in Gaza might be feeling and thinking as their surroundings are torn apart.
Guardiola’s renewed call came against the backdrop of continued violence despite a ceasefire that took effect in early October. According to figures cited in the report, Israeli actions since the ceasefire began have killed 492 Palestinians and wounded 1,356 others.
The ceasefire ended a two-year Israeli war that, according to the same data, resulted in more than 71,600 Palestinian deaths and over 171,300 injuries. The assault also caused widespread physical damage, destroying roughly 90% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure. United Nations estimates have put the cost of rebuilding the enclave at around $70 billion, underlining the scale of the humanitarian and economic challenge ahead.
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