Palestinians in the Occupied Territories have begun marking the second anniversary of the U.S.-backed three-week Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip. The assault, dubbed “Operation Cast Lead,” by the Israeli military left over 1,400 Palestinians dead and many more wounded. On Monday, a group of children took part in a march through Gaza. The director of a children’s charity, Munir Barakat, said the assault has left psychological damage.

Munir Barakat: “The anniversary of the cruel aggression will not ease in the children’s memories. In their playtime and their everyday lives, it occupies their minds every minute.”

The anniversary comes days after the Hamas government announced it would continue to honor an informal ceasefire with Israel. Last week Israel launched a number of attacks on Gaza after militants fired rockets.