“39,000 Palestinian Children in Gaza Orphaned Amid Israel Conflict”

A newly released report indicates that more than 39,000 children in Gaza have become orphans, having lost one or both parents amid ongoing Israeli military actions. Since October 7, 2023, the casualty count has risen to 50,523, while 114,776 individuals have sustained injuries.

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics has reported a grave humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region, citing an unprecedented orphan crisis with tens of thousands of children bereft of parental care amid the ongoing Israeli offensive.

In a statement released in observance of Palestinian Children’s Day, authorities have confirmed that a total of 39,384 children have been orphaned over the course of 534 days of ongoing bombardment. Of these, approximately 17,000 children have lost both of their parents and are currently confronting the challenges of life without essential support or care.

In a concerning development, the head of UNRWA, referencing data provided by UNICEF, reported that since March 18, when the ceasefire was broken, at least 100 Palestinian children have been killed or injured daily in Gaza.

Describing the circumstances as “harrowing,” Philippe Lazzarini expressed sorrow over the “young lives cut short in a conflict beyond the control of children.”

He stated that reports indicate approximately 15,000 children have lost their lives since the conflict erupted in Gaza.

The head of UNRWA stated that the ongoing conflict has effectively transformed Gaza into a “no land” for children.

In a fervent appeal, he condemned the act as a blemish on collective human conscience, insisting that no rationale exists for the killing of children in any location. He urged an immediate ceasefire.

The leader of the United Nations agency responsible for Palestinian refugees has criticized “Israel” for allegedly turning humanitarian aid into a strategic tool during its conflict in Gaza.

Philippe Lazzarini has expressed serious concern regarding the deteriorating situation within the besieged enclave, citing the ongoing blockade and military operations by Israel as key factors contributing to the hardship faced by the population.

Hunger and desperation are escalating as food and relief aid are being used as tools of conflict, Lazzarini stated, emphasizing the effects of Israel’s complete blockade.

He highlighted that it has been “over a month of total siege,” during which Israeli authorities have restricted the entry of essential supplies such as food, medicine, and fuel—actions he characterized as “collective punishment.”

He cautioned that the ongoing refusal to provide aid is leading to “a breakdown of civil order.”

He emphasized that Palestinians in Gaza are “exhausted as they remain confined to a small strip of land,” calling for “the admittance of aid and the lifting of the siege.”

Hamas issued a strong condemnation on Friday in response to what it described as Israel’s ongoing military actions in the Gaza Strip. The group accused the Israeli army of intensifying its assault, referencing the “massacres committed by the fascist occupation army against unarmed civilians” throughout various regions of Gaza.

Hamas emphasized that regions such as Khuzaa, situated east of Khan Younis, al-Nasr town, northeast of Rafah, as well as the neighborhoods of Shujaiya and al-Tuffah in eastern Gaza City, have suffered severely from Israeli aggression. The group reported numerous fatalities and injuries in these areas in recent hours, attributing these developments to what they describe as an ongoing and brutal genocide occurring under international scrutiny.

The statement also highlighted that the water desalination facility in the al-Tuffah area of eastern Gaza City was targeted earlier today. It underscored that this action constitutes “a blatant war crime designed to intensify the siege and further suffocate innocent civilians.”

The situation has underscored the intensity of the occupation’s systematic military escalation, with deliberate targeting of densely populated areas and the denial of essential life necessities to civilians. These actions suggest motives that extend well beyond the retrieval of captives, indicating a campaign characterized by fascist and sadistic tendencies. This raises concerns about potential plans of genocide and forced displacement.

Hamas declared that the steadfast individuals of Palestine, along with their determined Resistance, will resist any oppressive forces. Through their perseverance and indomitable spirit, they aim to defeat efforts designed to undermine their cause and eliminate their existence from their homeland.

The movement ended its declaration by asserting that the “flagrant violations of international law against Gaza and its inhabitants will persist as a mark of disgrace on the global community and its complicit, silent framework, a curse that will haunt all those who have betrayed our people and collaborated in these unparalleled crimes.”

The persistent Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip have resulted in significant casualties, with reports indicating 86 fatalities and 287 injuries as disclosed by the Ministry of Health in Gaza on Friday.

Hospitals in Gaza are currently overwhelmed, grappling with an influx of casualties resulting from the ongoing attacks.

As of March 18, 2025, the death toll has risen to 1,249 with 3,022 reported injuries, according to sources. The total number of fatalities resulting from the Israeli aggression, initiated on October 7, 2023, has escalated to a significant 50,609, alongside 115,063 injuries, as reported by the Health Ministry.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is intensifying as the global community struggles to address the repercussions of the ongoing violent escalation.