World Bulletin / News Desk

A "fun day" was held in the Gaza Strip on Thursday for Palestinian children with special needs.

Held under the banner "Support the children of Gaza and Yarmouk," the event – organized by the Association for Relief and Development, a Palestinian NGO – featured an exhibition of paintings by young participants.

Some paintings were splashed with the catchphrase: "I have the right to lead a dignified life."

"The tears of Palestinian children sum up their suffering as a result of continued Israeli violations," NGO head Rami Abu Samra said at the event.

He pointed out that Israel's eight-year blockade on the coastal enclave had caused a number of children to contract chronic diseases.

"Israeli policies are aimed at killing the dreams of Gaza's children," Abu Samra said. "But our children and those of the Yarmouk camp [in Syria] continue to hold onto their dreams."

For several months, Syria's Yarmouk camp has remained under siege by the Syrian army, threatening thousands of Palestinian refugees with death due to the lack of food, medicine and children's milk.

More than 125 people have starved to death in the camp to date as a result of the siege, according to the Syrian Revolution General Commission, an umbrella of Syrian opposition groups.

According to Sabrin Doghmosh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian NGO, her association is devoted to providing support to Palestinian children with special needs and those suffering from chronic disease.