Ted Chaiban, UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director, recently concluded a critical mission to Israel, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank, where he witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of ongoing conflict on children.
During a media briefing, Chaiban outlined the dire conditions and called for immediate humanitarian action, including medical evacuations and improved access to essential supplies.
Escalating Crisis for Gaza’s Children
Since the escalation of violence on October 7, 2023, Gaza’s children have faced unimaginable hardship. According to Chaiban, more than 14,000 children have been killed, and many more have been severely injured.
Families have been displaced, and vital infrastructure—schools, hospitals, and shelters—has been destroyed.
Chaiban stressed that this is the fourth major conflict in Gaza in just ten years, and each escalation has compounded the suffering of children who are already living in dire circumstances.
Israeli and Palestinian Authorities Meeting
In his meetings with Israeli and Palestinian authorities, Chaiban emphasized the urgent need for:
- Increased humanitarian access to Gaza, especially for medical and nutritional supplies.
- Prioritization of education and social services for children, particularly in the West Bank.
The humanitarian situation has been exacerbated by severely restricted access for aid trucks. Chaiban reported that only 15 trucks per day were entering Gaza in September 2024, compared to 100 earlier in the year.
These restrictions are preventing life-saving supplies from reaching vulnerable populations, putting children at increased risk of malnutrition and disease.
Humanitarian Aid Deliveries (Daily Averages) |
January 2024 |
August 2024 |
September 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aid Trucks Entering Gaza | 100 | 50 | 15 |
Dire Conditions in Hospitals and Schools
During his visit to the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, Chaiban encountered heartbreaking stories of children in critical condition. He met Sham, an infant severely injured by shrapnel, and Farah, a seven-month-old suffering from acute malnutrition.
The hospital, the only pediatric unit in the area, is overwhelmed and struggling to care for the injured and sick children. Chaiban urged for immediate medical evacuations for children requiring specialized treatment.
Chaiban also visited schools turned into shelters, where children live in appalling conditions. Makeshift sewage systems, a lack of clean water, and rising temperatures are creating a breeding ground for diseases, putting children’s lives in further jeopardy.
Calls for Urgent Action
UNICEF is calling for a ceasefire to protect children and allow humanitarian operations to proceed without obstruction.
Chaiban emphasized that while temporary pauses in fighting have enabled some efforts—such as vaccinating 560,000 children against polio—the situation remains untenable. The organization is urging:
- Stronger guarantees for safe humanitarian access to all parts of Gaza.
- Immediate medical evacuations for children and access to hygiene supplies.
Chaiban’s mission highlights the immense challenges facing Gaza’s children. Without swift intervention and increased support, the consequences could be catastrophic for an entire generation.
