Bombings ravage Gaza Strip, causing devastation to children

UNICEF also condemns the Israeli raids on refugee camps. “The scenes of carnage coming from the Jabalia camp in the Gaza Strip following yesterday’s and two days ago’s attacks are horrifying and terrifying”.

The UN agency that deals with humanitarian assistance for children and their mothers adds that “although we do not yet have an estimate of the casualties among children, homes have been flattened, hundreds of people have been clearly injured and killed, including many children”.

High casualty rate among children in ongoing bombings

“These two attacks follow 25 days of ongoing bombings (today is the 26th) that, according to reports, have resulted in the death of over 3,500 children – not counting yesterday’s casualties – and the injury of over 6,800 children. This is over 400 children killed or injured per day, for 25 consecutive days. This cannot become the new normal. Refugee camps, settlements for internally displaced persons, and the civilians who live in them are all protected by international humanitarian law. The conflicting parties have an obligation to respect and protect them from attacks”. According to Tel Aviv, Hamas “intentionally” builds “terrorist infrastructure under civilian residences”.

“Attacks of this magnitude against densely populated residential areas can have indiscriminate effects and are absolutely unacceptable. Refugees and internally displaced persons are protected by international humanitarian law. The conflicting parties have an obligation to protect them from attacks. Children have already endured too much. The killing and imprisonment of children must stop. Children are not a target. UNICEF – concludes – reiterates its urgent appeal to all conflicting parties for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, to ensure the protection of all children and for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to provide lifesaving aid on a large scale throughout the Gaza Strip, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law”.

UNRWA Commissioner-General describes “unprecedented” tragedy in Gaza Strip

The Commissioner-General of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, describes the tragedy in Gaza as “unprecedented”.

Lazzarini recently visited the Strip for the first time since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. He witnessed the devastating aftermath, with 1,300 Israelis killed, including many children, and about 200 kidnapped. In a statement, he expressed his deep sadness, stating that it was one of the saddest days of his humanitarian work.

Lazzarini explained that he visited displaced refugees in one of the agency’s schools in Rafah and was shocked by the overcrowded conditions and lack of basic necessities. He emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire, as the pleas for help from the people of Gaza are being ignored. Lazzarini concluded by reiterating the appeal for the supply of fuel to hospitals, bakeries, and water facilities, and highlighting that over 70 UNRWA staff members have been killed since October 7.