Daily average of 28 Palestinian children being killed by Israel in Gaza, as over 18,000 children fall victim since the onset of Israel's deadly conflict in Gaza.
In the heart of the Middle East, the coastal enclave of Gaza is grappling with an urgent and dire humanitarian crisis. Over the past 24 hours, at least eight Palestinians, including one child, have tragically succumbed to starvation, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The situation is particularly alarming for children. Ahmad Alhendawi, regional director of Save the Children, has described Gaza as a "graveyard for children" and a "living nightmare" for every child there. This sentiment is echoed by UNICEF, which has emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire to provide immediate relief to children in Gaza.
One such child is Lana, a 10-year-old displaced child who has experienced trauma-induced depigmentation following a bombing near her shelter. Her mental health is severely damaged, and she often talks to her doll and is bullied by other children for her appearance.
The crisis has forced many children, like Lana, to grow up far too quickly. For those surviving in Gaza, childhood has been replaced by a daily struggle for the basics of life. According to UNICEF, children in Gaza are in urgent need of food, clean water, medicine, and protection.
Since the start of the conflict, Israel has killed over 18,000 children in Gaza. In the last few months alone, approximately 28 children are being killed daily due to Israeli bombardment and restrictions on humanitarian assistance. The Israeli blockade has limited the entry of essential supplies, with only 86 trucks of aid allowed daily, which is less than 14% of the minimum daily trucks needed to meet the basic needs of the population.
The lack of aid has led to an unprecedented famine in Gaza. In July 2025, at least 16 hunger-related child deaths have been reported since mid-July, adding to the 24 children under five who have died from malnutrition alone. Nearly one in five children under five in Gaza City suffers from acute malnutrition.
The humanitarian situation is further exacerbated by the destruction of approximately 70% of Gaza's facilities, including hospitals, and the displacement of most residents, who are confined to 12% of the territory under military restrictions.
International humanitarian organizations, including the UN and NGOs, have reported gross violations of international humanitarian law. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), armed gangs, and some contractors have been accused of killing over 1,373 Palestinians seeking aid at distribution sites since late May 2025. These actions have contributed to the crisis and raised allegations of complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The psychological effects on children are severe but less quantified in exact figures. However, repeated displacement, exposure to violence, extreme hunger, and loss of family members contribute to widespread trauma and long-term mental health challenges among Gaza's children.
In light of this dire situation, UN experts and over 150 humanitarian organizations have called for a permanent ceasefire to allow for aid deliveries and the psychological recovery of a "lost generation." The future of Gaza's children hangs in the balance, and urgent action is needed to prevent further tragedy.
- The dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighted by the recent deaths due to starvation, has been emphasized as a need for immediate ceasefire by UNICEF, to provide relief to the children living there.
- The Israeli conflict has resulted in the unfortunate deaths of over 18,000 children in Gaza, with approximately 28 children being killed daily due to Israeli bombardment and restrictions on humanitarian assistance.
- The lack of essential supplies, due to the Israeli blockade, has led to an unprecedented famine in Gaza, with nearly one in five children under five suffering from acute malnutrition.
- The humanitarian situation in Gaza is severely affecting the mental health of its children, with repeated displacement, exposure to violence, extreme hunger, and loss of family members contributing to widespread trauma and long-term mental health challenges.
