'Deprived of hope': UNRWA reports 1 child killed every hour in Gaza

Gaza: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has expressed deep concern over the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip, revealing a devastating statistic: one child is being killed every hour.

In a statement, UNRWA highlighted that since the war began, 14,500 children have reportedly lost their lives according to UNICEF. 

"No place for children. These are not just numbers; these are lives tragically cut short," the statement read.

The organisation further emphasised that the children who survive endure severe physical and emotional scars, with their lives disrupted and their futures uncertain. "Boys and girls in Gaza sift through rubble, deprived of learning and hope," the agency said.

War-torn region 

The conflict in Gaza has intensified since October 7, 2023, when Hamas carried out an assault on the southern Israeli border, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 hostages. Israel responded with a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. 

Gaza-based health authorities reported that the Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks has reached 45,338 as of Tuesday, according to Xinhua News Agency. UNRWA’s statement painted a bleak picture for the children of Gaza, declaring, "The clock is ticking for these children. They are losing their lives, their futures, and mostly their hope."

Efforts towards a ceasefire

Meanwhile, international efforts to broker a ceasefire-for-hostages deal between Israel and Hamas have shown some progress, though challenges remain. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, stating, "There has been progress," but cautioned that the timeline for an agreement is unclear.

"I do not know how long it will take," he added, pledging to continue working towards the release of hostages.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar offered insights into the ongoing negotiations during a closed meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, describing the deal as "a phased, gradual framework."

Mediation efforts, led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, are ongoing, but a breakthrough has yet to be achieved.

IANS