The ongoing war in Gaza has taken a catastrophic toll on children, with over 13,000 killed, 25,000 injured, and at least 25,000 hospitalized for malnutrition, according to data from UN agencies.
During a recent UN Security Council session, Britain’s deputy UN ambassador, James Kariuki, described Gaza as "the deadliest place in the world to be a child." He added, “The children of Gaza did not choose this war, yet they have paid the ultimate price.”
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that, of the 40,717 Palestinian casualties identified in Gaza, one-third—13,319—were children. These figures were provided by Gaza’s Ministry of Health and verified by the UN office on Friday.
A Health Crisis for Gaza’s Children
UNICEF estimates that 25,000 children have been injured since the conflict began, based on data collected by Gaza’s Health Ministry. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed reported that nearly 19,000 children were hospitalized for acute malnutrition in the four months leading up to December. UNICEF added that thousands of children have been orphaned or separated from their families during the 15-month conflict.
The education system in Gaza has also suffered immense damage. Yasmine Sherif, executive director of Education Cannot Wait, revealed that 650,000 school-age children are out of school, with widespread destruction necessitating a complete rebuild of the education infrastructure.
The war's impact has extended beyond Gaza. Diplomats from several nations, including Britain and France, highlighted the suffering of Israeli children affected by Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023.
The international community continues to grapple with the profound humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging both sides to prioritize the safety and well-being of children.
During a recent UN Security Council session, Britain’s deputy UN ambassador, James Kariuki, described Gaza as "the deadliest place in the world to be a child." He added, “The children of Gaza did not choose this war, yet they have paid the ultimate price.”
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that, of the 40,717 Palestinian casualties identified in Gaza, one-third—13,319—were children. These figures were provided by Gaza’s Ministry of Health and verified by the UN office on Friday.
A Health Crisis for Gaza’s Children
UNICEF estimates that 25,000 children have been injured since the conflict began, based on data collected by Gaza’s Health Ministry. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed reported that nearly 19,000 children were hospitalized for acute malnutrition in the four months leading up to December. UNICEF added that thousands of children have been orphaned or separated from their families during the 15-month conflict.
The education system in Gaza has also suffered immense damage. Yasmine Sherif, executive director of Education Cannot Wait, revealed that 650,000 school-age children are out of school, with widespread destruction necessitating a complete rebuild of the education infrastructure.
The war's impact has extended beyond Gaza. Diplomats from several nations, including Britain and France, highlighted the suffering of Israeli children affected by Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023.
The international community continues to grapple with the profound humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging both sides to prioritize the safety and well-being of children.
