Today's Edition
SHABAN BILAL (CAIRO)
The spokesperson for the United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa, Salim Oweis, described the humanitarian situation the children in Gaza face as “catastrophic”, especially since they represent the largest percentage among the dead and wounded in the Israeli war on Gaza.
Oweis told Aletihad that more than 4,100 children have been killed since the beginning of the war, in addition to over 8,000 children being injured. Moreover, 420 children have been killed every day in the past couple of weeks, with numbers increasing every hour due to the continuation of the bombing.
He added that the surviving children in Gaza now live in a very difficult humanitarian situation. They do not have proper access to clean water and basic services, and most are unable to access water for drinking or personal use, exposing them to serious diseases, he added, noting that the UNICEF has revealed that many children suffer from diarrhoea and signs of dehydration due to drinking saline water.
Oweis pointed out that the Gazan children are exposed to severe violence, and many of them, if not all, are severely psychologically affected. These psychological wounds and scars may continue for life if the violence does not stop immediately and the necessary psychological and social support is provided, Oweis stressed, highlighting the urgent and continuous need for the entry of aid into Gaza.
He added that the only solution to protect children is a ceasefire and humanitarian truce so that UNICEF can get the opportunity to deliver the essential services that children need and to bring in humanitarian aid.
In the meantime, in the early hours of Tuesday morning, a new batch of humanitarian aid passed through the Rafah Crossing, where 93 trucks carrying humanitarian and medical aid in the form of food, medical supplies, water, and relief aid crossed.
Dr. Raed Abdel Nasser, Secretary-General of the Egyptian Red Crescent in North Sinai, said that 93 trucks of humanitarian, medical, and food aid crossed from Rafah to Gaza. The aid was given to the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
He added that the number of trucks that entered Gaza from the Rafah Crossing since the entry of humanitarian aid was allowed, about two weeks ago, had reached 569 trucks.
On average, 33 trucks loaded with relief supplies have arrived in the besieged Gaza Strip daily since the Rafah Crossing reopened, according to a statement issued by the PRCS.
According to the United Nations, at least 100 trucks daily are needed to provide the basic necessities for two million people.
More than 4,100 children have been killed since the beginning of the war, in addition to over 8,000 children being injured
