New wars and forgotten children: child health as a moral responsibility

War hits the most vulnerable children hardest. In prolonged conflicts such as the one in the Gaza Strip, health and school infrastructure are destroyed, vaccinations and education are disrupted, while malnutrition and child mortality rise sharply. Psychological trauma may last for decades. The open conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran - a war extending beyond national borders through direct attacks, bombardments, and indirect military actions - has already produced civilian casualties and regional instability with global economic and humanitarian consequences. In this context war emerges as one of the most powerful determinants of health. Its impact extends beyond the battlefield, influencing political and economic priorities even in distant societies and diverting resources away from health, education and social development. Outrage at these tragedies is therefore not merely an emotional response but a call to moral and civic responsibility.