During the first seven days of this year, 74 Palestinian children have been killed in Israeli attacks carried out overnight in Gaza City, Khan Younis, and al-Mawasi, an Israeli-designated “safe zone” in the south, Al Jazeera reports citing the United Nations children’s agency (Unicef).
“For the children of Gaza, the new year has brought more death and suffering from attacks, deprivation, and increasing exposure to the cold,” said Unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell. “A ceasefire is long overdue. Too many children have been killed or lost loved ones in a tragic start to the new year.”
Unicef also said in a statement that apart from the bombardment, the continued lack of basic shelter — combined with winter temperatures pose serious threats to children.
“With more than a million children living in makeshift tents, and with many families displaced over the past 15 months, children face extreme risks,” it said.
“Since December 26, eight infants and newborns have reportedly died from hypothermia — a major threat to young children who are unable to regulate their body temperature.”
Unicef appealed to “all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by ceasing attacks on civilians, humanitarian workers, and civilian infrastructure; meeting civilians’ essential needs; and by facilitating rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access”.
