15 Palestinians, Including 9 Children, Killed While Queuing for Aid in Gaza – UNICEF Condemns Attack.
Gaza:
At least 15 Palestinians, including nine children and four women, were killed early Thursday morning in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, while waiting in line for nutritional aid, according to a statement released by UNICEF. The tragic incident also left 30 others injured, among them 19 children, underscoring the deepening humanitarian crisis in the war-torn enclave.
The victims were gathered near a distribution point run by Project Hope, a UNICEF partner organization providing emergency nutrition for families struggling with extreme food insecurity. The organization described the attack as “unconscionable,” stating that the victims were civilians seeking basic survival supplies for their children.
Among the casualties was a young mother, Donia, whose 1-year-old son Mohammed was killed. UNICEF’s statement shared the heartbreaking detail that Mohammed had spoken his first words just hours before the fatal blast. Donia, now critically injured and hospitalized, was reportedly found clutching her son’s tiny shoe.
“These were mothers seeking a lifeline for their children after months of hunger and desperation,” the UNICEF statement read. “No parent should have to face such tragedy.”
The humanitarian community has repeatedly raised alarms about the dire conditions in Gaza. Months of restricted aid entry, escalating violence, and repeated violations of international law have left children and families at risk of starvation, with the threat of famine looming.
UNICEF expressed deep concern over what it described as the failure of parties to the conflict to uphold their basic obligations to protect civilians. “The killing of families trying to access life-saving aid is unconscionable,” the statement emphasized.
UNICEF called on the Israeli government to urgently review its military rules of engagement and ensure full compliance with international humanitarian law. It demanded a “thorough and independent investigation” into the incident and all allegations of civilian harm and legal violations.
“This is the cruel reality confronting many in Gaza today,” the agency said. “The number of malnourished children will continue to rise until life-saving aid and services are resumed at full scale.”
The statement also reiterated UNICEF’s call for:
- An immediate and lasting ceasefire;
- The safe release of all hostages;
- The protection of civilians and humanitarian workers by all parties to the conflict;
- Unhindered delivery of food, water, and medical aid to children and families in need.
UNICEF extended its condolences to the bereaved families and praised the ongoing work of aid workers in Gaza, many of whom operate under extremely dangerous conditions.
With each passing day, humanitarian officials warn that the death toll could rise further if the international community fails to act. “The deaths and suffering of children and civilians must end,” the statement concluded.
