Since the truce was declared, the bodies of 571 dead have been recovered from the rubble in Gaza. At least 67 children have died in Gaza since the ceasefire began. Peace and Security
Despite the declared ceasefire, strikes and shelling attributed to the Israeli army continue to cause heavy civilian casualties in Gaza. UN agencies reported this on Friday, emphasizing that the victims included children of all ages.
According to UNICEF spokesman Ricardo Pires, in recent days alone, an infant has died in Khan Yunis, as well as seven children in Gaza and the south of the enclave. Since October 11, the first full day of a pause in hostilities between the Israeli army and Hamas militants, at least 67 children have been killed as a result of “conflict-related events.” In addition, the bodies of 571 dead were recovered from the rubble.
Doctors and humanitarian organizations note that the health care system in the sector is virtually destroyed: children with burns, wounds from shrapnel, spinal and brain injuries, as well as cancer patients are left without the necessary treatment. UNICEF estimates that about four thousand children need immediate evacuation, including a two-year-old girl named Omima with a congenital heart defect who requires immediate surgery.
International humanitarian organizations continue to provide assistance, with the World Food Program (WFP) sending about 100 truckloads of relief supplies to Gaza every day, nearly two-thirds of its target. However, much of the supply gets stuck at border crossings and food spoils.
Even as markets begin to fill with goods, prices remain out of reach for most residents: chicken costs about $25, a kilo of meat costs $20. Many families continue to depend on humanitarian rations and UN-supported bread bakeries.
Residents of the enclave describe their current situation as “desperate.” One woman admitted that she buys only one apple a day and divides it between her four children. Another says she does not take hungry children to the market so that they do not suffer from the sight of food inaccessible to the family.
Doctors and humanitarian workers emphasize that even with a formal truce, Palestinians continue to die. “People are being killed despite the ceasefire,” said World Health Organization spokesman Dr. Rick Pieperkorn.
UNICEF and other UN humanitarian agencies renewed calls for the protection of civilians and access to health care and food, especially for children, who remain the most vulnerable in the ongoing conflict.