More than 40 children have been killed in the current crisis in
the Middle East, a senior official with the UN Children’s Fund,
UNICEF, said on Saturday.
The latest deaths occurred overnight when eight Palestinian
children were reported killed north of Gaza, according to
a statement by Ted
Chaiban, UNICEF Regional Director for
the Middle East and North Africa.
International media reported that the children were among 10
members of a Palestinian family who died in an Israeli airstrike
on their home in the Al-Shati refugee camp.
Step back, end the violence
“The scale of violence is massive. Children are bearing the brunt
of this escalation,” Mr Chaiban said.
“All sides need to step back and end the violence. All sides have
an obligation to protect civilians – especially children – and
facilitate humanitarian access. The underlying triggers for this
violence will not be resolved through further violence.”
Mr Chaiban reported that since 10 May, at least 40 children in
Gaza have been killed, ranging in age from six months to 17
years, with over half younger than 10. Two children in Israel,
including a six-year-old, were killed since the escalation began.
Scores displaced, schools destroyed
He added that more than 1,000 people in Gaza were reported
injured, some severely, including “a high number” of children.
“In the past week, in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem,
one 16-year old child was killed and at least 54 Palestinian
children were reported injured, another 26 children have been
arrested. Most have since been released,” he said.
Meanwhile, 35 schools in Gaza have been damaged and at least 29
schools are serving as temporary shelters for families who have
fled their home due to heavy violence.
UNICEF said as many as 10,000 people are displaced, most of them
children. Three schools in Israel have been damaged, according to
reports received by the UN agency.
Mourning young lives
The UN Security Council will meet
on Sunday to discuss the ongoing crisis. Secretary-General António
Guterres will address ambassadors, who will also be briefed
by Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East
Peace Process.
In a post on Twitter on Saturday, Mr Wennesland said he was
appalled by "the horrific incident" in Al-Shati camp, and mourned
all the young lives lost so far in the violence. He called for an
end to the hostilities, saying "children must not be the target
of violence or put in harm’s way."
