UNICEF: At least 300 children martyred in Gaza in 300 days

“This amounts to an average of one child every day, despite an agreement for the suspension of military operations and the full entry of humanitarian aid and relief almost 10 months ago,” UNICEF said in a press release on Thursday.

“A ceasefire that leaves an average of one child dead each and every day is failing children,” said UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Edouard Beigbeder.

“With hundreds more children injured, many severely, children in Gaza are still waiting for the end to the violence they were promised,” Beigbeder added.

“Families are now crowded into roughly a third of the Gaza Strip, sheltering in unsafe conditions among destroyed buildings, rubble and accumulated solid waste. Across the Strip, children continue to face acute malnutrition, disease, unsafe water and damaged sanitation systems,” UNICEF said.

“Announcements made in recent days set out a roadmap for the next phase of the ceasefire, including steps towards ending hostilities and scaling up humanitarian relief. This offers new hope and a chance to finally stop children being killed,” Beigbeder said.

“For children in Gaza, the test is simple. Does the killing stop? Does aid reach them at scale? Do hospitals reopen and water flow? Will children return to school safely in September? Children have heard promises before. This time, agreements must translate into action,” he emphasized.

UNICEF has called on all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law.

“They must protect children, safeguard their access to essential goods and services, including healthcare, education, safe water and food, and allow and facilitate safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to children in need,” it underlined.