Elaine Loughlin: As the world looks away, our solidarity has never been more important

Women and children account for nearly 70% of deaths in Gaza, according to figures verified by the United Nations

Palestinian children queue at a food distribution kitchen in Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip on Thursday. Palestinian children have been denied an education for more than a year, denied stability having been forced to move multiple times, and denied food and water as aid supplies are repeatedly blocked at the border. Picture: Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

For many children growing up, a general election means one thing: A day off. Small yellow chairs are turned upside down on top of child-sized desks as voters mark ballots beside artwork and whiteboards.

While Irish children will return to welcoming and warm classrooms on Monday, in Gaza the equivalent of a combined junior infants, senior infants, and first class group will have been killed, wiped off this earth over the weekend. Many more will have been maimed and orphaned.