UNICEF has urged Israel to protect civilians and end the Gaza war, reporting 64,000 children killed or injured.
GAZA: The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a strong appeal to Israel to ensure the full protection of civilians, especially children, under international law as the war in Gaza continues to wreak havoc on innocent lives.
The organisation described Gaza as “a hellish war that has devastated children,” painting a grim picture of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. In a statement released on Wednesday, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said that in the past two years, around 64,000 children have reportedly been killed or maimed across the Gaza Strip — among them, at least 1,000 babies.
Russell highlighted the worsening humanitarian conditions, noting that famine continues to grip Gaza City and is spreading further south, where children are already struggling to survive. “Children in Gaza are living in unimaginable conditions, deprived of food, safety, and medical care,” she said.
The UN agency called for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to uphold its obligations under international humanitarian law, ensuring civilians are shielded from further harm. Russell’s statement carried an emotional plea: “Every child killed is an irreplaceable loss. For the sake of all children in Gaza, this war must end now.”
UNICEF’s remarks echo growing global concern about the devastating toll the conflict is taking on Gaza’s youngest and most vulnerable. Humanitarian organisations have repeatedly warned of the long-term consequences of malnutrition, trauma, and displacement affecting an entire generation.
As the fighting shows little sign of slowing, UNICEF’s urgent call serves as a reminder of the human cost of war — particularly for children who have lost their families, homes, and hope.
