Geneva - Saba:
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) stated that the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip has resulted in the martyrdom and injury of more than 50,000 Palestinian children since October 7, 2023.
"In just 72 hours last week, images from two horrific Israeli attacks in Gaza provided further evidence of the devastating cost of this brutal war on children," said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, in a statement published by the UN agency on its website on Wednesday.
He added, "On Friday, we saw videos of the burned and dismembered bodies of children from the al-Najjar family being pulled from the rubble of their home in Khan Younis," in the southern Gaza Strip.
The UN official continued, "Of 10 siblings under the age of 12, only one child was reported to have survived with serious injuries." He explained, "Early Monday morning, we saw images of a little girl trapped in a burning school in Gaza City. This attack, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, reportedly killed at least 31 people, including 18 children."
UNICEF said, "Since the ceasefire ended on March 18, 1,309 children have been killed and 3,738 others injured. In total, more than 50,000 children have been killed or injured since October 2023."
The UNICEF Regional Director asked, "How many more girls and boys must be killed? What level of horror must be broadcast live before the international community fully intervenes, uses its influence, and takes bold and decisive action to force an end to this merciless killing of children?"
"These children are lives that should never be reduced to numbers. They are now part of a long and horrific list of unimaginable horrors: grave violations against children, the blockade of aid, starvation, ongoing forced displacement, and the destruction of hospitals, water systems, schools, and homes. In short, the destruction of life itself in the Gaza Strip," he added.
UNICEF urged "all parties to the conflict to end the violence, protect civilians, including children, respect international humanitarian law and human rights law, allow immediate access to humanitarian aid, and release all hostages."
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