Gaza: A Growing Death Toll of Innocent Children, Urgent Calls for Ceasefire Mount
Gaza's grim reality: UN chief condemns the escalating death toll of children, labeling the region a graveyard for children As global pleas for a ceasefire intensify, Israel remains adamant in rejecting any calls for peace
CATEGORY:
Life
"The parties involved in the conflict, along with the international community, bear an urgent and crucial obligation: to halt this cruel collective hardship and significantly increase humanitarian assistance to Gaza," he stated.
His remarks come a month after Israel initiated a war against Hamas, in response to the brutal assault carried out by the Islamist militant group on October 7. This attack resulted in the death of 1,400 individuals in Israel and the abduction of approximately 240 others.
Over 10,000 fatalities in Gaza, according to the health ministry controlled by Hamas, as the international condemnation of Israel's campaign intensifies.
Since the beginning, numerous international aid organizations and human rights groups have cautioned that this attack would have devastating consequences for Gaza. The region has been isolated from the rest of the world for almost 17 years due to a blockade enforced by Israel and Egypt. Consequently, there have been severe limitations on the movement of goods and individuals, leading to widespread poverty, hunger, and reliance on international assistance.
Conditions in the shelters of the UNRWA have been described as "inhumane" due to a lack of clean water and sanitation, according to a separate statement from the organization. In the Khan Younis Training Centre, which is currently housing 22,000 people, there is a severe shortage of toilets, with at least 600 individuals sharing one. This overcrowding has resulted in the spread of various diseases, including skin infections, diarrhea, and chicken pox, among others.
Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images
Leo Correa/AP
At the Shuhada Al-Aqsa hospital on November 6, a man walks between the shrouded bodies of people killed in the Israeli bombardment in Deir Balah, central Gaza.
Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images
Soldiers are seen walking at a location given as Gaza, in this screengrab obtained from an Israel Defence Forces handout video released on November 5.
Israel Defense Forces/Reuters
Soldiers from the IDF's coed infantry battalion 'Bardelas' guard an Israeli community in Southern Israel on November 5.
Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images
Rockets are launched from Gaza into Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, in southern Israel, on November 4.
Blood is splattered on the side of an ambulance after an Israeli airstrike outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Friday, November 3.
Mohammed Talatene/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
Ariel Schalit/AP
Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images
An Israeli artillery unit fires during a military drill in Golan Heights, Israel near the border with Lebanon on November 2.
Jalaa Merey/AFP/Getty Images
On Wednesday, November 1, amidst the second bombardment at the Jabalya refugee camp in Gaza City, a man perches on the wreckage while Palestinians engage in a search and rescue mission.
Relatives react during the funeral of an Israeli soldier in Jerusalem, on November 1.
Palestinians search for casualties at the site of Israeli strikes on Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza on October 31.
Israeli army vehicles move along a road near the northern town of Kiryat Shmona close to the border with Lebanon on October 31.
Bernat Armangue/AP
Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters
On Sunday, October 29, amidst the ruins of heavily damaged buildings in Gaza City's Nuseirat Refugee Camp, a man courageously cradles wounded children, seeking solace amidst livestock animals. (Image credit: Ashraf Amra/Anadolu/Getty Images)
An injured man is covered in dust in the aftermath of Israeli bombing in Rafah, southern Gaza, on October 29.
Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images
Israeli armored vehicles on the move near the border with Gaza, in Sderot, Israel on the morning of October 28.
Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times/Redux
In Tel Aviv, Israel on October 28, a demonstration took place where family members and supporters of hostages held in Gaza, after their abduction by Hamas gunmen from Israel, called for a dialogue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Amidst the demonstration, a man was seen writing a message.
In Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 27, Teddy bears, their eyes covered and displaying signs of injury, are being exhibited to draw attention to the ongoing issue of missing young children and babies. These innocent victims are believed to be held hostage by Hamas.
Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Mohammed Salem/Reuters
An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires a shell from southern Israel towards Gaza on October 25.
Tsafrir Abayov/AP
Palestinians mourn their loved ones killed in an Israeli strike, outside Najjar hospital in Rafah, Gaza, on October 24.
Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images
Rescuers assist a survivor of an Israeli bombardment in Nusseirat refugee camp, Gaza, on Tuesday, October 24.
A baby receives care inside an incubator at a hospital in Rafah, Gaza, on Monday, October 23.
Israeli soldiers cry during the funeral of Sgt. Yam Goldstein and her father, Nadav, in Kibbutz Shefayim, Israel, on October 23.
Said Khatub/AFP/Getty Images
Hatem Moussa/AP
A photo hangs on a refrigerator dotted with bullet holes in a home in Kibbutz Kissufim, Israel, on October 21.
Francisco Seco/AP
Relatives mourn for a family killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on October 21.
Ali Jadallah/Anadolu/Getty Images.
Relatives of the hostages address the media during the "Lighting up the Light" campaign advocating for the release of the captives, held in Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 21.
Muslim Palestinians take part in Friday noon prayers as Israeli police look on in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Ras al-Amud, on October 20.
Civil defense teams and residents continue search and rescue efforts at a Greek Orthodox church after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on October 20.
Mohammed Dahman/AP
Ronen Zvulun/Reuters
Abed Rahim Khatib/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
Israeli security inspects debris from a rocket in Kiryat Shmona, Israel, on October 18.
Ayal Margolin/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The aftermath of a destructive explosion at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City on October 18 is captured in a view. Palestinian authorities attributed the incident to ongoing Israeli airstrikes, whereas a representative from the Israel Defense Forces claimed that a failed rocket launch by a Palestinian Islamic Jihad group had struck the hospital.
Bodies of Palestinians killed in the blast at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital lie in front of the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on October 17.
A bakery prepares rations of bread to pass out to displaced Palestinians in the Rafah refugee camp, in southern Gaza, on October 17.
Civil defense members and residents conduct search and rescue operations amid destroyed buildings after an Israeli attack in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Tuesday, October 17,
Samar Abu Elouf/The New York Times/Redux
Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters
The remains of a Palestinian house destroyed in Israeli strikes in central Gaza on October 15.
Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa/Reuters
People carry children as they flee following an Israeli strike on Rafah in southern Gaza on Sunday, October 15.
Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images
Palestinians collect water from a tap on October 15 after Israel blocked supplies of electricity, food, water and fuel to Gaza.
Fatima Shbair/AP
Amidst a protest held in Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 14, Eli Albag tearfully clutches a photograph of his daughter Liri. The gathering serves as a poignant demand for the release of over 100 Israeli individuals who were abducted in the recent Hamas attack.
An Israeli soldier looks inside a house that was overrun by Hamas militants in Be'eri, Israel, on October 13.
Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters
Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images
Hatem Moussa/AP
Valentin Ghnassia's funeral took place at the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem on October 12, with his family members visibly displaying their emotions. Ghnassia lost his life in a confrontation with Hamas militants in Be'eri, Israel.
An Israeli military helicopter flies near the border between Gaza and Sderot, Israel, on October 12.
Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke plumes billow during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on October 12.
An Israeli soldier walks by a house destroyed by Hamas militants in Kibbutz Be'eri on Wednesday, October 11.
People carry bodies of Palestinians killed during an Israeli airstrike prior to their burial in Khan Younis, Gaza, on October 11.
Francisco Seco/AP
Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times/Redux
Itzik and Miriam Shafir, seen in the center, grieving at their son's burial in Modiin Maccabim, Israel, on October 11. Dor Shafir, their son, along with his girlfriend, Savion Kiper, lost their lives in an attack by Hamas during a music festival on Saturday.
Smoke rises after Israeli strikes on the seaport of Gaza City on Tuesday, October 10.
Mohammed Salem/Reuters
Palestinians mourn during the funeral of a relative killed in an Israeli strike, in Gaza City on October 10.
Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images
Palestinians rescue a young girl from the rubble of a destroyed residential building following an Israeli airstrike on October 10.
Palestinians walk amid the rubble following Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on October 10.
Fatima Shbair/AP
Belal Khaled/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Samar Abu Elouf/The New York Times/Redux
The ruins of the Yassin mosque are seen in the Shati refugee camp just outside Gaza City on October 9.
Samar Abu Elouf/The New York Times/Redux
Sama Alwadia, a six-month-old infant, was saved from the debris in Gaza City on October 9. Despite surviving the initial attack, tragically, she succumbed to her injuries during medical treatment.
(Photo credit: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
A Palestinian man mourns over the body of his nephew killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on October 9.
Palestinians inspect the damage following an Israeli airstrike on the Sousi mosque in Gaza City on October 9.
Palestinians remove a body from the rubble of a building after an Israeli airstrike on the Jebaliya refugee camp in Gaza on October 9.
Maya Alleruzzo/AP
Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Fire and smoke rise from Gaza City following an Israeli airstrike on October 8.
Fatima Shbair/AP
Palestinians inspect a mosque destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, Gaza, on October 8.
Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters
Israelis inspect the rubble of a building in Tel Aviv on October 8, a day after it was hit by a rocket fired from Gaza.
Oded Balilty/AP
Palestinian citizens inspect damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on October 8.
Palestinian children look toward the sky at the sound of airstrikes at a United Nations-run school in Gaza on Saturday, October 7.
Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times/Redux
Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa/Reuters
Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images
Children are seen in a damaged house in Gaza after Israeli airstrikes on October 7.
Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A man in Ashkelon runs after rockets were launched from Gaza on October 7.
Amir Cohen/Reuters
Outside of a hospital in Gaza, men sit next to the covered body of a Palestinian militant killed during Saturday's clashes.
An Israeli soldier stands by the bodies of Israelis killed by Palestinian militants in Sderot on October 7.
A building in Tel Aviv is ablaze Saturday, October 7, following rocket attacks from Gaza.
Hadas Parush/Reuters
Next
Israel rejects calls for ceasefire
Mike Segar/Reuters
US vetoes Security Council call for humanitarian pause in Israel-Hamas war
Limited aid has managed to enter Gaza through Egypt via the Rafah crossing, the only border point not controlled by Israel. However, it is still insufficient. Guterres stated that over the past two weeks, only 400 trucks of aid have crossed, whereas before the war, Gaza used to receive 500 trucks a day. He emphasized that the current amount of assistance falls far short of the immense needs. In response, the UN and its partners are initiating a $1.2 billion humanitarian appeal to provide assistance to the entire populations of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
