 has reported that at least 322 children have lost their lives since Israel reignited its military){kind=link}
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that at least 322 children have lost their lives since Israel reignited its military offensive in Gaza two weeks ago.
According to UNICEF, an additional 609 children were wounded during this period, as hostilities intensified across the enclave.
“The ceasefire had given Gaza’s children a fragile lifeline and a glimmer of hope for recovery,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “But once again, they are caught in an unrelenting cycle of violence and hardship.”
Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, attributing the escalation to Hamas’ rejection of a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal that sought to secure the release of 59 Israeli hostages.
Hamas, however, accused Israel of reneging on an earlier agreement reached in January.
UNICEF condemned the “relentless and indiscriminate bombardments” in Gaza, revealing that an average of 100 children were killed or maimed daily in the 10 days leading up to March 31.
Many of these children were displaced and seeking refuge in makeshift shelters or damaged homes.
The figures cited by UNICEF originate from the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza, which Israel has consistently contested.
Despite this, the UN and other international organizations regard the data as credible.
However, independent verification remains difficult, as international journalists, including the BBC, are barred from entering Gaza.
In response to inquiries, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told the BBC that it takes extensive measures to minimize civilian casualties and adheres to international law, including the laws of armed conflict.
The military stated that it carefully assesses potential collateral damage before conducting strikes.
Since the conflict erupted over 18 months ago, UNICEF reports that an estimated 15,000 children have been killed, more than 34,000 injured, and nearly one million displaced multiple times.
The humanitarian crisis has worsened significantly in recent weeks, with Israel preventing aid shipments into Gaza since March 2—the longest blockade of relief supplies since the war began.
“Without critical aid, malnutrition, disease, and other preventable conditions will likely escalate, increasing the number of avoidable child deaths,” UNICEF warned in a statement.
On March 24, the UN announced a reduction in its operations in Gaza, just one day after Israeli forces killed eight Palestinian medics, six Civil Defence responders, and a UN staff member in southern Gaza.
The ongoing war began after Hamas carried out a cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.
In response, Israel launched a military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas, which it designates as a terrorist organization along with the U.S., UK, and other nations.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 50,399 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began.