Wed Nov 20 05:36:22 UTC 2024: ## Gaza: UN Declares Children’s Graveyard After Thousands Killed in Ongoing Conflict
**GAZA CITY** – The United Nations has declared the Gaza Strip a “graveyard for thousands of children” following the ongoing conflict with Israel. Palestinian officials report at least 17,400 children have been killed since October 7th, equating to a child death every 30 minutes. Thousands more remain missing and presumed dead under the rubble of destroyed homes.
The staggering death toll has prompted international outrage, with Defense for Children International – Palestine spokesperson calling the situation “a genocide in real time.” The conflict’s impact extends far beyond immediate casualties. Over 17,000 children have lost one or both parents, leaving them orphaned and vulnerable.
The crisis is further compounded by the ongoing Israeli blockade, which severely restricts access to essential resources. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell highlighted the devastating consequences, stating that “every day, 10 children lose one or both legs,” often undergoing amputations with minimal or no anesthesia due to the siege. She warned that the lack of safe water is leading to increased dehydration and malnutrition, further endangering the lives of children already traumatized by repeated conflicts. Ms. Russell concluded by reiterating that Gaza has once again become “the most dangerous place in the world to be a child.” The ongoing humanitarian crisis continues to demand urgent international attention and intervention.
First Piper 