Gaza City is quickly turning into a place where childhood is disappearing, warns UNICEF. Tess Ingram, UNICEF’s Communication Manager for the Middle East and North Africa, describes Gaza City as a city of fear, chaos, and heartbreaking loss.
In a meeting with the UN, she explained that Gaza is facing a growing crisis. With an intensified military offensive ongoing, nearly 1 million people still living there are at risk of severe suffering. Ingram emphasized, “This could lead to a catastrophe for families and children. We must do everything to prevent this tragedy.”
During her nine days in Gaza City, Ingram met many families who had to flee their homes in fear. Some arrived with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. She shared stories of children separated from their parents in the chaos and mothers who have lost their children to hunger or injuries. “I’ve seen children in hospitals with injuries from shrapnel, and mothers terrified that their children will be next,” she said.
The crisis is also hitting children’s health and nutrition hard. Only 44 out of 92 UNICEF-supported nutrition centers in Gaza are still operating. Many malnourished children are losing access to vital food aid, risking further suffering and starvation. “Our teams are doing everything possible to help, but we need more support,” Ingram added.
She pointed out that the hardships faced by children in Gaza are not accidental but the result of ongoing violence and difficult choices made by the parties involved. “Palestinian lives are being torn apart here,” she said.
UNICEF is calling on Israel to review its rules of engagement to better protect children and to allow essential aid to reach Gaza. The organization is also urging Hamas and other armed groups to release all hostages and to protect civilians and critical infrastructure. Stakeholders around the world are encouraged to use their influence to stop the suffering and to restore peace with a ceasefire.
The situation in Gaza remains urgent. The international community must act now to bring relief and prevent further tragedy for innocent children and families.
