New year brings little new hope for children in Gaza, with at least 74 children reportedly killed in first week of 2025 – UNICEF
EAST JERUSALEM/AMMAN/NEW YORK, 8 January 2025 – At least 74 children have reportedly been killed in relentless violence in the Gaza Strip in just the first seven days of 2025. Children have reportedly been killed in several mass casualty events, including nighttime attacks in Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Al Mawasi, a unilaterally designated ‘safe zone’ in the south. The most recent attack, yesterday, saw five children reportedly killed in Al Mawasi.
“For the children of Gaza, the new year has brought more death and suffering from attacks, deprivation, and increasing exposure to the cold,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. ”A ceasefire is long overdue. Too many children have been killed or lost loved ones in a tragic start to the new year.”
The continued lack of basic shelter – combined with winter temperatures pose serious threats to children. With more than a million children living in makeshift tents, and with many families displaced over the past 15 months, children face extreme risks. Since December 26, eight infants and newborns have reportedly died from hypothermia – a major threat to young children who are unable to regulate their body temperature.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has spiralled out of control. The number of trucks with aid entering Gaza remains woefully insufficient to meet the most basic needs of families. Civil order has largely collapsed inside Gaza, with the looting of humanitarian goods.
The few remaining operational hospitals are overwhelmed. The destruction of civilian infrastructure has left families struggling to access essential supplies, including food, safe water, sanitation, and access to healthcare. Kamal Adwan Hospital, which had been the only operational medical facility and the sole hospital in northern Gaza with a pediatric unit, is no longer functional following a raid late last month. This has further exacerbated the already dire conditions for medical care in the region.
“UNICEF has long warned that inadequate shelter, lack of access to nutrition and healthcare, the dire sanitary situation, and now the winter weather put the lives of all children in Gaza at risk. Newborns and children with medical conditions are especially vulnerable,” said Russell. “The parties to the conflict and the international community must act urgently to end the violence, alleviate suffering, and ensure that all hostages, especially the two remaining children, are released. Families need an end to this unimaginable suffering and heartbreak.”
UNICEF appeals to all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by ceasing attacks on civilians, humanitarian workers, and civilian infrastructure; meeting civilians’ essential needs; and by facilitating rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access. UNICEF also renews our call for an immediate improvement of the security environment, including security for aid delivery trucks, to allow for aid workers to safely reach the communities they intend to serve. The delivery of aid and supplies is a matter of life or death for children in Gaza.
#####
Notes for editors:
Multimedia materials available here: https://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AM4080FDL1J
NEW: Subscribe to UNICEF’s global media updates on WhatsApp.
For further information, please contact:
UNICEF UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, [email protected]
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.
United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).
For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube