64,000 children martyred or maimed in two years of ‘hellish’ war on Gaza: UNICEF

“For more than 700 days, children in Gaza have been killed, maimed, and displaced in a devastating war that is an affront to our shared humanity,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement on Wednesday.

As the Zionist regime's strikes on Gaza continue, Russell stressed that “the world cannot, and must not, allow this to go on.”

She stated that “a staggering 64,000 children have reportedly been martyred or maimed across the Gaza Strip, including at least 1,000 babies” since the start of the war, noting that the death toll could be higher, as many bodies are still trapped under the rubble and more children have died from preventable illnesses.

According to the statement, Gaza children are also suffering from famine due to Zionist regime blockade of aid.

“Famine persists in Gaza City and is spreading to the south, where children are already living in dire conditions. The crisis of malnutrition, especially among infants, remains shocking. Months without adequate food

have caused lasting harm to children’s growth and development.”

Russell urged Zionist regime to “ensure the full protection of the lives of all civilians”, saying, “Denying humanitarian assistance to civilians is unequivocally prohibited.”

According to the statement, UNICEF “welcomes all efforts to end the war and chart a path towards peace in Gaza and the region.”

Calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the “safe, rapid and unimpeded” passage of humanitarian relief, Russell said, “Every child killed is an irreplaceable loss.  For the sake of all children in Gaza, this war must end now.”