UNICEF Briefing: Devastating Impact of Gaza Conflict on Children

Catastrophic Child Casualties in Gaza

• 💔 Over the past 21 months, more than 17,000 children have reportedly been killed and 33,000 injured in Gaza.
• 🎯 An average of 28 children are killed daily, equivalent to an entire classroom, as they line up for essential supplies.
• 🕯️ Recent incidents include 15 Palestinians (including nine children) killed waiting for nutritional supplies, and 10 people (including seven children) killed collecting drinking water.
• 📈 Between May 27th and July 7th, 798 Palestinian civilians, including children, were killed near distribution sites or humanitarian convoys.

Deteriorating Conditions and Health Crisis

• 🏥 Children who survive the war face lasting trauma, with all of Gaza's children now needing mental health support.
• 🍎 Acute malnutrition cases have increased by 180% since February, with nearly 6,000 children screened as acutely malnourished in June.
• 💧 95% of households lack adequate access to clean water, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases, which now account for 44% of healthcare consultations.
• 🦠 There are reports of a meningitis outbreak affecting infants, and thousands of children need urgent medical support that is unavailable.
• 🚑 Hospitals are overwhelmed, facing severe shortages of medicine and fuel, with critical newborn care reduced by nearly 70%.

Humanitarian Aid and Access Challenges

• 🚚 Only an average of 30 UN trucks per day have been allowed entry since May 19th, a fraction of the 2 million people's needs.
• ⛽ A crippling fuel shortage is forcing essential services to shut down, endangering over a million children.
• 🚫 UNICEF calls for a return to a functioning UN-led aid pipeline with safe and sustained humanitarian access through all available crossings.
• 🤝 Aid delivery must be demilitarized and adhere to principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.

Calls for Protection and Ceasefire

• ⚖️ International law mandates the protection of civilians, including children, and the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance.
• ⚠️ UNICEF urges Israel to review its rules of engagement and conduct independent investigations into alleged violations.
• 🕊️ All parties are called upon to uphold international humanitarian law, release all hostages, and urgently agree to a ceasefire.
• 🌍 Member states are urged to use their leverage to de-escalate the conflict and address human suffering.

A Betrayal of Childhood

• 😔 UNICEF states that the world has failed Gaza's children, betraying their right to be healthy, safe, and educated.
• ⏳ History and the children themselves will judge this failure harshly; children deserve peace and a future.