Around 60,000 children in the Gaza Strip have lost one or both parents as a result of the Israeli offensive, a spokesperson for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed, highlighting one of the most devastating humanitarian consequences for children in the territory. The toll comes amid continued displacement, deteriorating living conditions, and limited access to essential services.
Speaking at a press briefing at the United Nations office in Geneva, UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires said more than 340 children had been martyred and hundreds of others injured since a ceasefire agreement took effect more than a year ago, underscoring the persistent dangers facing children despite the truce.
Pires said the Israeli offensive over the past two weeks had killed boys and two girls and left at least 33 children seriously injured. Two other children had died from injuries sustained earlier.
He noted that around 800,000 children in the Gaza Strip remained displaced, most of them living in tents or buildings damaged by bombardment. They face conditions lacking basic safety and stability as winter approaches, bringing additional risks for displaced families.
Pires said children in Gaza were facing their fourth winter while struggling to survive, with the consequences of the war continuing to shape every aspect of their daily lives, from shelter and food to education and healthcare.
Although the ceasefire had brought limited improvements in food security and increased the entry of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies, humanitarian needs remained immense and far exceeded the financial resources available, the UN spokesperson said.
Damaged tents, unsafe buildings, and overcrowded displacement sites pose further challenges to protecting children, particularly as rain and cold weather approach. These risks are compounded by deteriorating infrastructure and shortages of sanitation services and safe water.
UNICEF warned that the continued harsh conditions threaten children’s safety and health and make it harder for them to recover from the psychological and social effects of the war. The organization stressed the need for sustained provision of adequate shelter, essential services, and psychosocial support.
On education, Pires said more than 560,000 children had returned to learning since the ceasefire was announced in October 2025, through various educational institutions and centers, including more than 200 learning centers supported by UNICEF.
While this progress represents an important step toward restoring some sense of normality to children’s lives, returning to education does not mean the effects of the war have ended. Displacement continues, buildings and services remain damaged, and children still need a safe, stable learning environment in which to continue their studies.
Pires stressed that many essential services in the Gaza Strip remained out of operation, emphasizing that humanitarian needs vastly exceeded available funding. This shortfall limits humanitarian organizations’ ability to expand their response and meet the needs of children and families.
These conditions place the protection and recovery of Gaza’s children at the center of an urgent humanitarian responsibility. Meeting that responsibility requires sustained aid, the rehabilitation of essential services, and guaranteed access to education, healthcare, and psychosocial support to help children overcome the effects of the war and regain the basic conditions necessary for a safe childhood.
Source: Al-Manar Website