The number of children reported killed in Gaza over the past three weeks has surpassed the total annual number of children killed in armed conflict globally across more than 20 countries in each of the last three years, international humanitarian agency Save the Children has said.
“Since October 7, more than 3,257 children have been reported killed, including at least 3,195 in Gaza, 33 in the West Bank, and 29 in Israel, according to the Ministries of Health in Gaza and Israel respectively,” the agency said.
“The numbers are harrowing and with violence not only continuing but expanding in Gaza right now, many more children remain at grave risk,” said Jason Lee, Save the Children’s country director in the occupied Palestinian territory.
“Three weeks of violence have ripped children from families and torn through their lives at an unimaginable rate. The numbers are harrowing and with violence not only continuing but expanding in Gaza right now, many more children remain at grave risk,” Mr Lee said.
“One child’s death is one too many, but these are grave violations of epic proportions. A ceasefire is the only way to ensure their safety,” he continued.
“The international community must put people before politics—every day spent debating is leaving children killed and injured. Children must be protected at all times, especially when they are seeking safety in schools and hospitals.”
Save the Children said it was an independent, impartial organization.
“With the ongoing complete siege of Gaza, journalists and international organizations are not able to get access to Gaza to verify independently and provide updated data on the impact of ongoing bombardment on the civilian population.”
“Save the Children, in line with UN OCHA updates, is currently relying on data from the Israeli Ministry of Health for casualties in Israel and from the Gaza Ministry of Health for casualties inside Gaza. Due to the current situation, information and numbers provided by both ministries cannot be verified independently,” it added.
“Children make up more than 40% of the 7,703 people killed in Gaza, and more than a third of all fatalities across the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel. With a further 1,000 children reported missing in Gaza assumed buried under the rubble, the death toll is likely much higher,” the agency said.
Save the Children said that it was reported that at least 6,360 children in Gaza have also been injured, as well as at least 180 children in the West Bank, and at least 74 children in Israel. More than 200 individuals, including children, remain hostages inside Gaza.
“The risk of children dying from injuries has never been higher, with the UN reporting that a third of hospitals across the Gaza Strip are no longer operational due to electricity cuts and a “total siege” by the Government of Israel blocking entry of goods such as fuel and medicine.”
“According to Médecins Sans Frontiers/Doctors without Borders, resulting anaesthesia shortages have meant amputating children without pain relief,” the agency said.
The humanitarian agency sad that: “According to the last three Annual Reports of the UN Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict, a total of 2,985 children were killed across 24 countries in 2022, 2,515 in 2021, and 2,674 in 2020 across 22 countries. In 2019, 4,019 children were killed.”
Photo credit: Gaza, Palestine – October 20th 2023 – Distressed women and children. A-One Rawan / Shutterstock