UNICEF Reports Over 50,000 Children Affected by Gaza Conflict

Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced on Wednesday that over 50,000 Palestinian children have been killed or injured due to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. This revelation comes amid escalating violence and humanitarian crises in the region.

Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, highlighted the tragic loss of life, citing gruesome incidents from recent attacks. In a statement, he described video footage showing the dismembered bodies of children from the al-Najjar family being unearthed from the rubble of their home in Khan Younis. Of the ten siblings aged under 12, only one has survived with severe injuries.

Beigbeder also pointed to a heart-wrenching event captured early Monday morning, where a little girl was found trapped in a burning school in Gaza City during an Israeli airstrike, which resulted in at least 31 fatalities, including 18 children.

Since a ceasefire ended on March 18, 2025, UNICEF reported that 1,309 children have died and 3,738 have been injured. The stark statistics illustrate the harsh reality behind the conflict’s numbers.

The UNICEF director’s poignant question echoed the call for international action: “How many more girls and boys must be killed?” He stressed the urgent need for intervention to prevent further loss of life and protect vulnerable civilians.

UNICEF’s statement also underscored the dire conditions faced by the children of Gaza, calling for immediate humanitarian access, protection of civilians, and compliance with international law by all parties involved in the conflict. They emphasized that children should not merely be counted as statistics but should be seen as precious lives deserving of dignity and safety.