UNICEF Reports Mass Casualties of Gaza Children During First Week of 2025

𝙄𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙙 𝘼𝙡-𝙌𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙪, 𝙖 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙅𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙖, 𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙖 𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙙 𝙄𝙨𝙧𝙖𝙚𝙡-𝙂𝙖𝙯𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙩, 𝙞𝙣 𝘿𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝘼𝙡-𝘽𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙝

“For the children of Gaza, the new year has brought more death and suffering from attacks, deprivation, and increasing exposure to the cold,” Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement as cited by Anadolu, adding, “A cease-fire is long overdue.”

UNICEF underscored the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over one million children are currently residing in makeshift shelters, many having been displaced for an extended period.

“Since December 26, eight infants and newborns have reportedly died from hypothermia – a major threat to young children who are unable to regulate their body temperature,” UNICEF said.

The situation is further exacerbated by the severe damage inflicted on civilian infrastructure and the overwhelming strain placed on hospitals. A significant blow was dealt last month with the closure of Kamal Adwan Hospital, the sole children's hospital in northern Gaza, following an Israeli attack.

“UNICEF has long warned that inadequate shelter, lack of access to nutrition and healthcare, the dire sanitary situation, and now the winter weather put the lives of all children in Gaza at risk,” said Russell.

UNICEF is calling for an immediate halt to all attacks targeting civilians and for the unhindered delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to those in dire need. The organization emphasizes the critical role of aid and essential supplies in ensuring the survival of children in Gaza.

Russell emphasized the urgent need for immediate action to enhance security, enabling aid workers to safely distribute vital supplies to families in desperate need. “Families need an end to this unimaginable suffering and heartbreak,” he stressed.