At least 100 children killed or injured daily in Gaza since truce ended: UNRWA
The overall Palestinian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 50,600, according to health officials, with women and children accounting for the majority of casualties. PHOTO: REUTERS
The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has condemned the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling it “no land for children,” as fresh data reveals the devastating impact of Israel’s ongoing military offensive.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, citing UNICEF figures, said that at least 100 children are being killed or injured every day since Israel resumed its offensive against Hamas following the collapse of a temporary truce on 18 March.
“The ceasefire at the beginning of the year gave Gaza’s children a chance to survive and be children,” Lazzarini said. “The resumption of the war is again robbing them of their childhood. The war has turned Gaza into a ‘no land’ for children. This is a stain on our common humanity.”
Lazzarini reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire, urging the international community to intervene and protect Gaza’s civilian population, particularly children.
Meanwhile, a new report by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics paints a grim picture of the toll the conflict has taken on Gaza’s youngest. Since October 7, 2023, nearly 17,954 children have been reported killed in Israeli attacks. Among them are 274 newborns, 876 infants under the age of one, 17 children who froze to death in displacement camps, and 52 who died from starvation or malnutrition.
The overall Palestinian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 50,600, according to health officials, with women and children accounting for the majority of casualties.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to intensify military operations as discussions continue around implementing US President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Separately, Israel is also defending itself at the International Court of Justice, where it faces a case alleging genocide.