UNICEF’s executive director, Catherine Russell, has labeled the Gaza Strip as “the most dangerous place in the world to be a child,” emphasizing that the recently brokered truce between Israel and Hamas is insufficient to safeguard their lives. Russell informed the UN Security Council that since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, more than 5,300 children in Gaza have reportedly lost their lives, constituting 40 percent of the total casualties. She described this situation as unprecedented and expressed the haunting impact of her recent visit to southern Gaza.
While Russell welcomed the hostage release agreement and temporary halt in intense fighting between Israel and Hamas, she highlighted the grim aftermath of the October 7 attack. Approximately 240 people, spanning from infants to the elderly, were taken captive during the assault, leading to around 1,200 casualties in Israel, mainly civilians. Russell also raised concerns about an additional 1,200 children believed to be under the rubble or unaccounted for, emphasizing the severe risks Gaza’s children face not only from direct conflict but also from dire living conditions.
Moreover, Russell drew attention to the alarming humanitarian situation in Gaza, noting that one million children, comprising the entire child population in the territory, are now grappling with food insecurity. She warned of a looming nutrition crisis, estimating that acute malnutrition in Gaza’s children could surge by nearly 30 percent in the coming months, further exacerbating the dire conditions in the region.
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