Children in the Gaza Strip are facing catastrophic consequences from the ongoing war, ranging from severe food and medical shortages to deep psychological trauma resulting from loss and repeated displacement, which threaten to undermine their daily lives and destroy their educational and physical futures.
A spokesperson for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed that more than 340 children have been killed and hundreds more injured in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, as a result of Israeli attacks since the ceasefire came into effect.
He explained that Israeli attacks during the past two weeks have claimed the lives of five children despite the truce being in place, while at least 33 children have sustained serious injuries. He also noted that two other children have died from previous injuries.
The UN official stated that approximately 800,000 children in Gaza remain displaced, most of them living in tents or buildings that have been bombed and pose a risk to their safety. He emphasized that an estimated 60,000 children in the Strip have lost one or both parents.
More than 560,000 children have returned to school in various educational institutions since the ceasefire was declared in October 2015, according to the UN official, who also confirmed that many essential services in Gaza remain out of service.
He drew attention to the immense humanitarian needs in the devastated territory, at a time when available funding falls far short of what is required.
