The situation in the Israel-Gaza territory worsens as each day progresses. A report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says that more than 420 children are being killed or injured in Gaza every day. Child casualties are rapidly increasing in the Gaza territory as attacks continue on a large scale.
UNICEF raises concern over child casualties in Gaza
During an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, UNICEF officials have notified the dire situation of children in the Gaza territory. They reported that more than 420 children are being killed or injured in Gaza every day. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini informed the council that around 70% of those reported killed in Gaza were children and women. He added another despairing statistic reported by Save the Children that, in just three weeks, almost 3,200 children were killed in Gaza. It transcends the number of children killed annually across the world’s conflict zones since 2019, Lazzarini added.
The massive aerial bombardments on the Gaza Strip have inevitably resulted in a high number of deaths. Gaza used to be a place with more than 2.2 billion people living there, in which 47% of its people are below the the age of 18. Almost half of the population is under age 18.
Benjamin Netanyahu announces his stand on the war
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a news conference has closed the doors on a potential call for a cease-fire. He said that Calls for a cease-fire would call for Israel to surrender to Hamas, which he says will not happen. Humanitarian groups and the UNGA have appealed for a cease-fire. But the Prime Minister of Israel has asked the nations to back Israel in its fight against Hamas. The Israel Military has advanced deeper into the Gaza region, with airstrikes continuing to create chaos. The Palestinian health ministry in the West Bank has said that the Israeli Bombardments have increased the death toll to more than 8,000 in the Gaza Strip.
The growing need for Cease-fire
The head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees has warned that an immediate humanitarian cease-fire is required as it is a matter of life and death for millions of people. He stressed the point that the present and future of Palestinians and Israelis depend on the abrupt call for a cease-fire. Though Israeli attacks focus on causing havoc to the Hamas group, they will result in collective damage as innocent citizens living in the area are also affected by the strikes. As the situation grows more and more catastrophic as the days pass, it is a humanitarian need that the people receive food, water, medicine, and other essential services.
UNWRA chief speaks on the issue
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini told the UN Security Council that he was shocked by the horrific attack carried out by Hamas on Israel on October 7 and the relentless attacks that followed the attack. He said that the level of destruction is unprecedented, and the tragedy that occured is unbearable to watch. He proposed strict adherence to international law and to continue the flow of aid to Gaza.
Limited sources of food and water started entering the Gaza region on October 21. However, it has been insufficient considering the number of people awaiting aid. The United Nations said that 33 aid trucks made their way to Gaza through Egypt’s Rafah border cross on Sunday. It is the most number of trucks to cross in a single day. Since the start of the war. A total of 115 trucks crossed over the past week.
