‘Stop this horror’, UNICEF chief says on visit to Gaza
The Hindu
The head of the UN children’s agency said she had witnessed “devastating” scenes on a visit to war-ravaged Gaza and urged Israel and Hamas to “stop this horror”.
The head of the UN children’s agency said Wednesday she had witnessed “devastating” scenes on a visit to war-ravaged Gaza and urged Israel and Hamas to “stop this horror”.
“What I saw and heard was devastating. They have endured repeated bombardment, loss and displacement,” UNICEF’s executive director Catherine Russell said, describing a rare visit to the Palestinian territory by a top UN official.
“Inside the Strip, there is nowhere safe for Gaza’s one million children to turn,” Russell said in a statement.
“The parties to the conflict are committing grave violations against children,” she said.
“These include killing, maiming, abductions, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access - all of which UNICEF condemns.”
Israel vowed to destroy Hamas in response to its attacks on October 7, which it says killed an estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Another 239 people were taken hostage.
The Gaza health ministry says Israel’s ensuing aerial bombardment and ground offensive have killed 11,320 people, also mostly civilians.