UNICEF calls for urgent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas terror group to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza Strip

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) called for “immediate” humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip to treat those affected by the Israeli bombing campaign against the enclave, including an estimated 250,000 children in need of mental health services and protection.

“UNICEF calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, on humanitarian grounds, to allow entry of personnel and essential supplies, including fuel, medical supplies, first aid kits and COVID vaccines- 19, ”said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.

“We also call for humanitarian corridors to be established so that we can deliver these supplies safely, so that families can reunite and access essential services, and so that the sick or injured can be evacuated,” he said. -he says.

Fore, that pointed out that among the approximately 220 killed by the bombings, there were about 60 children, indicates that “One million children in Gaza bear increasing consequences of violent conflict, with nowhere to go”. “Lives have been lost and families destroyed,” he lamented.

He also pointed out that “About 30,000” children were displaced by the bombardments, which also affected the “critical infrastructure” of the enclave, including “at least four health facilities and 40 schools” which suffered material damage.

“Around 48 schools, mainly led by the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East (UNRWA), are used as emergency shelters for families fleeing violence», He stressed.

“The already weakened water and sanitation systems have been further compromised as a result of this latest escalation of violence,” he warned, adding that some 325,000 people “need emergency water and sanitation services, without which they are at greater risk of contracting life-threatening infectious diseases.”

LONG-TERM POLICY SOLUTION

In this sense, he stressed that “Power generation in Gaza has been cut by around 60%, making hospitals increasingly dependent on generators to provide essential health care services.”

“These generators need significant amounts of fuel to operate. Any decrease in healthcare capacity could also jeopardize the treatment of people with COVID-19, ”Fore said.

Finally, he added that “Every day that the conflict continues brings suffering to children across the State of Palestine and Israel.” “Children who need a ceasefire now, as well as a long-term political solution to the conflict in general. They deserve more than this horrible cycle of violence and fear that has gone on for too long, ”he concluded.

Gazati authorities have confirmed the deaths of 217 people, including 63 minors, in the bomb attacks on the enclave. To this figure must be added the deaths of twelve people in Israel, including a child, an Indian and two Thais, and that of more than 20 Palestinians in the West Bank as part of the latest mobilizations to condemn the offensive against Gaza and the incidents. of Jerusalem.

(with EP information)

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