The Gaza Strip is “the most dangerous place” in the world for children, according to Catherine Russell, executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef).
“More than 5,300 Palestinian children were reportedly killed in just 46 days. There are more than 115 per day, every day, for weeks and weeks”, said the director in a video this Wednesday (22), while speaking at the UN Security Council.
“Based on these figures, children account for 40% of deaths in Gaza,” he added.
“This is unprecedented. In other words, the Gaza Strip is the most dangerous place in the world to be a child,” Russell continued.
She also said Unicef is receiving reports that “more than 1,200 children” remain under the rubble of bombed buildings or are missing.
The comments came a week after Russell’s visit to Gaza. In a statement following her visit, she described “serious violations” committed against children, including “murders, mutilations, abductions, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access.”
Agreement between Israel and Hamas
Israel and Hamas agreed, on Tuesday (21), to a four-day humanitarian pause to allow the release of at least 50 hostages, women and children, detained in Gaza.
The resolution also involves the release of 150 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. The vast majority of prisoners listed as eligible for release are adolescent males between the ages of 16 and 18 — these people are children as defined by the United Nations.
Some of those listed are 14 years old, and around 33 are women who can also be released, according to the investigation. CNN.
No hostages will be released before this Friday (24), according to Israel’s National Security Council.
The start of a temporary truce in the fighting was also postponed until Friday, an Israeli official said. CNN.
Source: CNN Brasil

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