One child killed daily in Gaza despite ceasefire, says UN

NEW YORK / GAZA: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a grave warning that children in Gaza continue to be killed at an average rate of one per day, despite what has been described as a “so-called ceasefire” in place over the past eight months.

According to UNICEF spokesperson James Elder, at least 265 Palestinian children have been killed and more than 400 injured since the ceasefire was announced in October 2025. The figures highlight what the agency describes as a continuing humanitarian catastrophe affecting civilians, particularly minors.

Elder said children are being struck in a wide range of locations, including homes, schools, tents, and public spaces, underscoring the widespread nature of insecurity across the territory.

“Children in Gaza are living through constant fear, violence, and deprivation,” he said, adding that daily life has become a cycle of trauma with little access to safety or stability.

UNICEF also warned that the already fragile healthcare system is under extreme pressure. Hospitals and medical facilities are facing severe shortages of essential medicines, equipment, and supplies, making it increasingly difficult to treat injured children.

The agency said hundreds of minors require urgent medical evacuation, but restrictions on movement and access are preventing timely treatment. It cautioned that delays are leading to worsening infections and, in some cases, preventable amputations.

The humanitarian organisation urged the international community to take immediate steps to protect children and ensure compliance with international humanitarian law.

“These deaths must stop,” UNICEF said, calling for urgent diplomatic and operational measures to prevent further civilian casualties and to guarantee safe access for humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities report that the overall toll of the ongoing war, which began on October 7, 2023, has reached catastrophic levels. According to their figures, at least 73,018 Palestinians have been killed and 173,273 injured since the start of the conflict.

The continued violence, even during periods described as ceasefires, has raised renewed questions about the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts to halt hostilities and protect civilians.

Humanitarian agencies warn that unless access restrictions are eased and international protections enforced, the situation for children in Gaza will continue to deteriorate, with long-term consequences for an entire generation.

As global pressure mounts, UNICEF and other organisations are urging immediate action to turn ceasefire declarations into meaningful protection on the ground — before more lives are lost.