Child casualties in Gaza a 'growing stain on our collective conscience': Unicef
Unicef calls for immediate ceasefire and sustained, unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance to Gaza Strip
The United Nations Children's Agency (Unicef) has decried the "staggering" number of child casualties in Gaza, where officials say Israeli bombardment has killed more than 2,000 minors, reports Al Jazeera.
Reporting that 2,360 children have been killed in less than three weeks, Unicef called for an immediate ceasefire and sustained and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance.
A further 5,364 children in Gaza have been injured in the "unrelenting attacks," Unicef said on Tuesday. More than 400 children are reportedly either killed or injured daily in the besieged Palestinian enclave, it said.
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On 7 October, Palestinian group Hamas launched surprise attacks on Israel, which killed more than 1,400 people. Israel's army has since relentlessly bombed Gaza, killing at least 5,791 people. Children make up roughly 50% of Gaza's population of about 2.3 million.
"The killing and maiming of children, abduction of children, attacks on hospitals and schools, and the denial of humanitarian access constitute grave violations of children's rights," said Adele Khodr, Unicef regional director for the Middle East and North Africa.
"Unicef urgently appeals on all parties to agree to a ceasefire, allow humanitarian access and release all hostages. Even wars have rules. Civilians must be protected – children particularly – and all efforts must be made to spare them in all circumstances."
The West Bank has also witnessed an alarming surge in casualties, with nearly a hundred Palestinians reportedly losing their lives, including 28 children, and at least 160 children reportedly sustaining injuries.
Even before 7 October 2023, children in the West Bank were already grappling with the highest levels of conflict-related violence in two decades, resulting in the loss of 41 Palestinian children and six Israeli children's lives so far this year.
"The situation in the Gaza Strip is a growing stain on our collective conscience. The rate of death and injuries of children is simply staggering," said Khodr.
"Even more frightening is the fact that unless tensions are eased, and unless humanitarian aid is allowed, including food, water, medical supplies and fuel, the daily death toll will continue to rise."
Fuel is of paramount importance for the operation of essential facilities such as hospitals, desalination plants, and water pumping stations. Neonatal intensive care units house over 100 newborns, some of whom are in incubators and rely on mechanical ventilation, making an uninterrupted power supply a matter of life and death.
