According to the United Nations (UN) on Tuesday (Oct 31), the Gaza Strip is now a burial ground for thousands of children, and there are concerns that more children may die due to dehydration. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza has reported that Israeli strikes since Oct 7 have resulted in the deaths of 8,525 people, mostly civilians, including over 3,500 children.
Unicef, the UN children’s agency, stated that the number of child deaths directly caused by bombardment may soon be surpassed. Unicef spokesman James Elder expressed fear that the reported numbers of children killed would rise from dozens to hundreds and ultimately thousands in just a fortnight. The figures are shocking, with over 3,450 children reportedly killed and the number increasing significantly every day. Gaza has turned into a graveyard for these children and a living hell for everyone else.
Elder, speaking via video-link to reporters in Geneva, emphasized that some children who were affected by the bombardment died despite their lives being potentially savable. He warned that the reported deaths from the attacks could be just the tip of the iceberg and called for greater humanitarian access to Gaza. Additionally, he highlighted the lack of clean water as a major concern, as Gaza’s water production capacity has fallen to a mere 5% of its usual daily output. Dehydration is becoming an increasing threat to children’s lives, particularly infants.
Unicef is urgently calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and the full opening of access crossings into Gaza to ensure the safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, including water, food, medical supplies, and fuel. Elder stressed that without a ceasefire and the necessary resources, innocent children could face even greater horrors.
Israel’s ambassador in Geneva, Meirav Eilon Shahar, claimed on Monday (Oct 30) that Hamas was holding 33 children hostage, including a nine-month-old infant.
Infants on incubators
Elder mentioned that according to health faculties in Gaza, 940 children were missing. The UN humanitarian agency spokesman, Jens Laerke, added that the thought of children buried under rubble with limited opportunities for rescue is almost unbearable. The World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out that people in Gaza are not only dying from direct bombardment but also facing significant threats due to mass displacement, overcrowding, and damage to water and sanitation infrastructure. WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier highlighted a particular concern regarding the 130 premature infants dependent on incubators, with about 61% located in the northern part of Gaza.
Since Oct 7, Israel has imposed a complete siege on Gaza, cutting off essential supplies such as food, fuel, water, and power. Between Oct 21 and 30, only 143 trucks carrying vital supplies, including food, water, and medicine, entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing with Egypt. Elder expressed disappointment at this limited assistance, stating that it remains inadequate and unacceptable.
