UNICEF, a minimum of 74 children lost their lives in Gaza due to zionist atroticies during the initial week of 2025

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that a minimum of 74 children lost their lives as a result of sustained violence by Israel in the Gaza Strip during the initial week of 2025. This tragic development underscores the harsh reality confronting children in the blockaded region as the New Year begins.

In a report released on Wednesday, UNICEF highlighted that the deaths transpired over a span of just eight days, underscoring the severe risks faced by children in Gaza due to inadequate shelter and the harsh winter conditions.

The Executive Director of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, has reported that the New Year has intensified hardships for children in Gaza, with reports indicating that at least 74 children have lost their lives. Russell has urgently appealed for an immediate ceasefire to halt the ongoing violence.

Catherine Russell, Chief of UNICEF, has voiced grave concerns regarding the alarming toll on children due to escalating violence, as the new year has ushered in unprecedented hardship for the youth in Gaza. Reports indicate that at least 74 children have been killed, highlighting the urgent necessity for immediate intervention to halt the violence, mitigate suffering, and secure the release of hostages. Calls for a ceasefire are increasingly imperative in light of these developments.

A series of mass casualty events have resulted in numerous fatalities, with overnight assaults taking place in Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and the area of al-Mawasi, which has been classified as a “safe zone.” UNICEF reports that the latest strike in al-Mawasi on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of five children.

The humanitarian crisis has reached a critical point, as reports confirm the deaths of eight infants and newborns due to hypothermia since December 26th. These tragic incidents underscore the extreme vulnerability of young children who cannot maintain body heat under the harsh conditions. This situation arises amid allegations that Israel is using the cold as a tool in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

UNICEF has consistently cautioned that insufficient shelter, limited access to nutrition and healthcare, a severe sanitary situation, and the onset of winter pose significant risks to the lives of children in Gaza. Russell highlighted the heightened vulnerability of newborns and children with medical conditions amid this crisis. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate with each passing day, placing a heavy burden on its youngest residents.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has escalated to a critical state, with the influx of aid trucks falling significantly short of addressing the essential requirements of families in the region. Meanwhile, the breakdown of civil order has resulted in widespread looting of humanitarian supplies.

The United Nations has reported that more than one million children are presently residing in temporary shelter tents, as nearly the entire population of 2.3 million has faced multiple displacements over the past 15 months.

In addition, the limited number of functioning hospitals are currently experiencing overwhelming demand, while the extensive damage to civilian infrastructure has significantly obstructed access to vital services such as food, clean water, sanitation, and healthcare.

Kamal Adwan Hospital, the sole medical center with pediatric capabilities in northern Gaza, has halted operations in the aftermath of a raid conducted last month, intensifying the dire healthcare conditions in the region. UNICEF reports that in the initial week of 2025, at least 74 children have been confirmed dead in Gaza. In 2024, statistics from UNRWA indicated that a child lost their life every hour. Calls for an immediate ceasefire continue to grow. For more information, please read the full press release: https://t.co/2xNAS2OtBi pic.twitter.com/vk2QV0x2xe— UNRWA (@UNRWA), January 8, 2025.

A recent report released by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics has highlighted a 6% decrease in Gaza’s population projected for 2024. The findings suggest that Israeli military actions are deliberately impacting certain demographic segments, particularly children and young people. This targeted approach is reportedly causing a notable “distortion of the population” within the region.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of 45,936 Palestinians, among them more than 17,600 children. This statistic highlights a disturbing rate of child fatalities, with approximately one child losing their life every hour.