UNICEF reports 82 child deaths in Gaza since October ceasefire

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported on Friday that at least 82 children have been killed in Gaza since a ceasefire agreement took effect on October 10. The agency condemned the ongoing violence, with spokesperson Ricardo Pires calling the death toll a "staggering pattern, and it needs to stop" during a briefing in Geneva.

Broader casualty figures and UN documentation

The casualty figures extend far beyond children. According to Gaza's media office, at least 386 Palestinians have been killed and 980 injured by Israeli fire since the truce began. The UN Human Rights Office has separately documented more than 350 attacks in the same period, primarily near the 'yellow line' boundary, resulting in at least 121 fatalities, including 30 children. These incidents highlight the fragile and often violated nature of the ceasefire.

Deteriorating humanitarian conditions

Despite the nominal ceasefire, living conditions for Gaza's population have not improved. Israel continues to enforce strict limitations on the entry of humanitarian aid trucks, which UN agencies and aid groups say violates the humanitarian provisions of the agreement. This obstruction severely hampers the delivery of essential food, water, and medical supplies to a besieged population.

Cumulative toll of the conflict

The recent deaths add to an already catastrophic overall toll from the conflict that began in October 2023. Palestinian health authorities report that Israeli military operations have killed more than 70,000 people in Gaza, the majority being women and children, with over 171,000 injured. The continued violence post-ceasefire underscores the severe challenges in achieving a durable peace and full humanitarian access.