Four Children Killed as Attacks Destroy Aid Supplies, Damage Critical Water Facility in Gaza .
AMMAN:
At least four children have been reported killed and several others seriously injured in separate attacks across the Gaza Strip over the past five days, while strikes have also destroyed vital humanitarian supplies and severely damaged critical water infrastructure, further worsening conditions for children and families already facing a severe humanitarian crisis.
According to UNICEF, the children reported killed include two boys, aged two and four, who died in separate strikes. A 10-year-old girl was reportedly killed after being hit by ground fire while inside her tent, while a 16-year-old boy succumbed to serious injuries sustained in 6 earlier strike.
The violence has also left several children with life-changing injuries. On August 25, three children aged eight, 10 and 17 were reportedly hit by live ammunition fire, while two 11-year-olds sustained shrapnel injuries following strikes.
Nutrition Supplies Worth More Than $770,000 Destroyed
The attacks have also caused significant damage to humanitarian operations in Gaza.
On August 25, a nearby strike destroyed a warehouse containing more than US$770,000 worth of UNICEF nutrition supplies. The supplies had been intended to support more than 40,500 vulnerable children aged between six and 23 months, as well as approximately 4,900 pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The destruction of the warehouse threatens the delivery of essential nutrition assistance at a time when children and mothers in Gaza remain highly dependent on humanitarian aid.
Water Facility Severely Damaged
A day earlier, on August 24, a UNICEF-supported water well and desalination facility in the Deir Al Balah area was also severely damaged by a nearby strike.
The facility provides safe drinking water to more than 4,000 people, including around 2,000 children. With the facility currently unable to operate, UNICEF and its partners are supplying emergency water by truck to affected families.
UNICEF warned that the damage comes at a particularly critical time, with access to safe and sufficient water essential to protecting children’s health, particularly during the peak summer months.
Gaza’s Water Crisis Deepens
UNICEF said approximately 70 per cent of Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure has been damaged, while 63 per cent of the population is unable to access even six litres of drinking water per person per day.
The continued damage to water infrastructure is increasing the risks faced by children and families, particularly those living in displacement and overcrowded conditions.
“Children are being killed and injured, while those who survive are seeing essential services and supplies that they depend on destroyed,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
He warned that beyond the loss of life, the destruction of humanitarian supplies and essential services was further deepening the suffering of children and families struggling to survive.
UNICEF Calls for Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Infrastructure
UNICEF called on all parties to fully respect international humanitarian and human rights law, stressing that children’s lives and rights must be protected.
The UN children’s agency also called for civilian infrastructure and essential services necessary for children’s survival and wellbeing to be safeguarded, along with rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza.
The latest incidents underscore the growing challenges facing humanitarian agencies as damage to aid warehouses, water facilities and other essential infrastructure continues to threaten the availability of basic services for Gaza’s civilian population, particularly children.
