Sunday, November 05, 2023

Gaza’s Children Face Catastrophe as Death Toll Nears 4,000, UN Warns

THE OBSERVER: Israeli bombs hit school being used as a shelter while warning comes that children form 40% of fatalities

The UN has warned of a “catastrophic” situation for children in Gaza, as Israeli bombs hit a school being used as a shelter and landed outside a hospital, and Israel came under mounting pressure over the civilian suffering caused by its campaign.

More than 40% of the dead in Gaza after nearly four weeks of war were children, the UN said, with 3,900 reported child victims, and another 1,250 missing and presumed buried under bombed buildings. With little rescue machinery, and hospitals overcrowded and running out of supplies, the chances of survival for those trapped in rubble are painfully low.

“Women, children and newborns in Gaza are disproportionately bearing the burden” of a month of fighting in the tiny territory, agencies supporting children, women, health services and Palestinian refugees said in a joint statement. » | Emma Graham-Harrison and Jason Burke in Jerusalem | Sunday, November 5, 2023