The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has stated that 2,360 children have died in Israel’s counterattacks in the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas militants’ October 7 attacks on southern Israel.
Also, the aid group, which spoke of the “relentless attacks,” disclosed that 5,364 children have been injured.
Since the surprise Hamas attacks on October 7, Israel’s army has been attacking targets in Gaza and preparing a ground offensive in the coastal area.
UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Adele Khodr, stated that “`The situation in the Gaza Strip is a growing stain on our collective conscience. The rate of death and injuries to children is simply staggering.”
He claimed that the Gaza Strip is suffering from extreme water shortages, with serious effects for children, who account for roughly half of the population.
UNICEF urged all parties to reach an agreement on a cease-fire, allow humanitarian access, and free all captives.
Speaking on the need to protect civilians, French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israel to respect the laws of war and humanitarian principles in its fight against the Palestinian Islamist Hamas Movement in the Gaza Strip.
“The fight must be merciless, but not without rules, because we are democracies fighting terrorists, democracies that respect the law and guarantee humanitarian access,” Macron said.
Mr. Macron was speaking on Tuesday in Tel Aviv during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Democracies do not target civilians, either in Gaza or anywhere else,” he said.
Specifically, Mr. Macron called for electricity to be supplied to the hospitals in Gaza.
