UN Agency Decries Israeli Bombardment in Gaza as Child Fatalities Mount
The United Nations agency for children, UNICEF, has sharply criticized the Israeli Defense Forces for what it describes as “indiscriminate attacks on civilians” in the Gaza Strip. This condemnation followed reports that the recent strikes on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 50 children.
Since early October, northern Gaza has been the focus of intense military action as Israel intensified its operations, alleging targets were Hamas militants.
Recent descriptions of the situation in northern Gaza by top humanitarian organizations have been grim, labeling it as “apocalyptic.” The casualties have predominantly been women and children, who are also suffering due to an almost complete blockade on humanitarian aid imposed by Israel.
Catherine Russell, the Executive Director of UNICEF, voiced grave concerns, stating, “the entire population of northern Gaza, particularly children, faces immediate threats of death due to disease, starvation, and continuous bombings.”
In a related development over the weekend in Jabalia, further assaults on residential areas were reported alongside an attack on a healthcare facility in Gaza City, which the World Health Organization (WHO) said resulted in injuries to at least six individuals, including four children. The facility was engaged in a polio vaccination initiative, marking the second phase of inoculations for children throughout Gaza.
“Today, the Sheikh Radwan primary healthcare center was hit during a humanitarian ceasefire intended to permit the continuation of the polio vaccination campaign,” stated WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “It is crucial that these humanitarian pauses specifically designed for such activities are strictly honored. We need a ceasefire!”
Russell also noted that a UNICEF staff member’s vehicle was targeted in what is believed to be a drone attack while navigating through Jabalia-Elnazla. Fortunately, the staff member escaped unharmed. Russell emphasized, “The attacks on residential areas, the healthcare facility, and our UNICEF colleague are stark reminders of the severe repercussions of indiscriminate bombing in the Gaza Strip.”
She further stressed that “Civilians and civilian infrastructure, including homes, healthcare workers, and their vehicles, must be protected at all times according to international humanitarian law. Yet, these norms continue to be blatantly violated, resulting in the death, injury, and deprivation of essential services for tens of thousands of children.”
The Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported a staggering toll of at least 43,341 people killed and over 102,105 wounded since the escalation of conflict more than a year ago following a Hamas-initiated attack. The majority of those killed have been women and children, despite assertions from Israel and its principal international ally, the United States, that the military operations were targeting Hamas.
Nina Lahoud, a former special adviser and peacekeeping officer at the U.N., questioned the response of the international community, particularly the Biden-Harris administration, to the mounting child casualties. “How can we continue to allow such cruelty? How many more Palestinian children must die before urgent action is taken?” she implored.
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