Children in Gaza being denied right to life and health: UNICEF
The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) says children in Gaza are facing a dire humanitarian situation amid an ongoing Israeli aggression which has paralyzed medical and healthcare services in the Palestinian territory.
“Children in Gaza are hanging by a thread, particularly in the north ... Children’s right to life and health is being denied,” said Adele Khodr, UNICEF West Asia and North Africa Regional Director, on Saturday.
A UNICEF report released on Saturday said many healthcare facilities dedicated to children in Gaza had ceased their operations either due to the Israeli regime’s bombardment of hospitals or areas around them or due to an electricity shortage that has been caused by the Israeli blockade.
The report said the Israeli regime has a duty to protect hospitals and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medical supplies during war.
Khodr said children in Gaza, especially those living in the north of the enclave, would face serious problems if the Israeli regime does not stop its attacks on hospitals.
“Thousands and thousands of children remain in northern Gaza as hostilities intensify. These children have nowhere to go and are at extreme risk. We call for the attacks on health care facilities to stop immediately and for the urgent delivery of fuel and medical supplies to hospitals across all Gaza, including the northern parts of the Strip,” he said.
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