Massacre report! 115 children per day

A session on the situation in Gaza was held at the UN Security Council (UNSC). Briefing member states, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Catherine Russell pointed out that a humanitarian pause in the conflict in Gaza is not enough, and underscored the need for a humanitarian ceasefire to urgently put an end to the massacre.

Noting that military activity is increasing in the south of Gaza, Russell stated that this would turn an already dire humanitarian situation into a horrific one, saying, "Attacks on the South must be prevented."

Stating that they welcome the UNSC's Resolution 2712, Russell said the resolution highlights the disproportionate impact of the war on children and that its implementation is of great importance.

"Gaza is the most dangerous place in the world for children"

Pointing out that the death toll in the current crisis is very high, Russell reported that the UN has been recording violations against children for 17 years, and that the number of children killed during that entire period was 1,653.

Emphasizing that the war must be ended immediately, Russell said, "In just 46 days, 5,300 Palestinian children have been killed. This corresponds to 115 children per day. Children make up 40 percent of the deaths in Gaza. Such a situation has never been encountered before. Gaza is the most dangerous place in the world for children."

Noting that they have received information that approximately 1,200 children are under the rubble in Gaza, Russell said, "Children are not dying only because of bombs, rockets, or weapons. Terrible living conditions are also leading to death."

Russell stated that 1 million people in the Gaza Strip, meaning all children, are facing food shortages.

Catherine Russell reported that since October 7, 35 children have been killed in Israel and 56 in the West Bank, and that 450,000 children are in need of humanitarian aid there.

Stating that she met with many families and children during her visit to Gaza, Russell said, "I cannot get what I saw and heard out of my mind."

UN: 2 mothers are killed every hour, 7 women every two hours in Gaza

Speaking at the session, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous said, "Women in Gaza tell us that they pray for peace, but if there is to be no peace, they pray to die quickly in their sleep with their children in their arms. That any mother anywhere in the world should have to pray in this way should shame us all."

Noting that before October 7, 67 percent of civilian deaths in the occupied Palestinian territories consisted of men, Bahous reported that the situation reversed after October 7, and that 67 percent of the 14,000 civilians killed in Gaza consist of women and children.

"This means that 2 mothers are killed every hour and 7 women every two hours in Gaza," said Bahous, announcing that approximately 800,000 women have currently been displaced in Gaza.

UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem also stated that 5,500 pregnant women are expected to give birth in Gaza within the next month.

Explaining that approximately 18 women give birth in "horrific conditions" every day, Kanem expressed that the future of newborn babies is uncertain.

"While childbirth should be a happy beginning, it is overshadowed by death, destruction, and fear," said Kanem, noting that 15 percent of pregnant women face the risk of complicated births and are exposed to more difficult situations.

Kanem stated that UNFPA is deeply concerned for the 7,000 women who have given birth in the last 47 days, saying that these women are not receiving the necessary care.

Sharing the information that there are 70,000 pregnant women in the West Bank, 8,000 of whom will give birth next month, Kanem expressed that settler violence is increasing in the region and that the public is being displaced.

News Source: AA