UNICEF has denounced the Israeli assault on Gaza, which claimed the lives of more than fifty children, and has called for action to safeguard humanitarian workers, civilians, and international law.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that a terrible weekend of violence in northern Gaza claimed the lives of over 50 children and put numerous aid workers in danger.
“North Gaza has already had a terrible weekend of strikes. In Jabalia, where strikes destroyed two residential structures that provided shelter to hundreds of people, more than 50 children are claimed to have died in the last 48 hours alone, according to a statement issued on Saturday by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
According to UNICEF, while driving in Jabalia al-Nazla, a staff member’s own vehicle engaged in a polio vaccination campaign was fired upon by what seemed to be a quadcopter.
It was a damaged car, but the employee was unharmed and “deeply shaken.”
“As the polio campaign continued in the area, three children were injured in another strike near a vaccination clinic in Sheikh Radwan,” Russell said.
“These attacks on Jabalia, the vaccination clinic, and the UNICEF staff member are yet further examples of the grave consequences of the indiscriminate strikes on civilians in the Gaza Strip,” she added, calling the increase in violence as “one of the darkest periods of this terrible war.”
“Prompt investigation”
Russell further emphasized that the protection of civilians and civilian structures, such as residential buildings and humanitarian workers, is required under international humanitarian law.
She pointed out that “displacement or evacuation orders do not permit any party to the conflict to regard all individuals or objects in an area as military targets.”
Additionally, Russell denounced the persistent disrespect for these ideals, which he said led to “tens of thousands of children killed, injured, and deprived of essential services needed for survival.”
UNICEF has demanded that Israel launch a “immediate investigation” into the event involving its employees and that those guilty be held accountable.
“UNICEF also calls on member states to use their influence to ensure respect for international law, prioritising the protection of children,” Russell stated, adding that it is “beyond time to end this war.”
