Kazem Abu Khalaf, spokesperson for UNICEF, reported that 100 children are killed or injured daily in the Gaza Strip, calling the figure shocking and unprecedented in any other conflict worldwide.
In a phone interview with Al-Qahera News on Friday, Abu Khalaf emphasized that no place in Gaza is safe amid increasing displacement. He highlighted the severe suffering of women who have no options in this war.
Abu Khalaf pointed out that children in Gaza are also victims of food poverty, with 3,000 children in Rafah alone deprived of treatment due to malnutrition.
He noted that UNICEF has established 12 locations for recreational activities for children, adding that once the war ends, the organisation plans to find locations for children to gather and begin educational and recreational activities, including distance learning and eventually building schools.
Abu Khalaf called for a temporary or humanitarian ceasefire to allow aid trucks to enter, establish a permanent communication network, and create safe zones with agreements from conflicting parties and medical personnel. He also stressed the need for security forces to distribute aid fairly among the population.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a humanitarian crisis, with children being the most affected.
The high number of child casualties has drawn international concern and calls for immediate intervention.
UNICEF’s efforts to provide some relief through recreational activities aim to give children a semblance of normalcy amid the chaos.
The severe impact on women and children highlights the urgent need for humanitarian aid and a ceasefire to address the dire conditions in Gaza.
The international community continues to urge for a resolution to the conflict to prevent further loss of life and to allow for the rebuilding of essential infrastructure, including schools and medical facilities.