UNICEF estimates over 17,000 children unaccompanied in Gaza amid Israeli aggression
Geneva (Quds News Network) – UNICEF has estimated that at least 17,000 children in the Gaza Strip are unaccompanied or separated from their parents due to the continuing Israeli aggression since October 7.
Jonathan Crickx, UNICEF Palestine Chief of Communication, highlighted the challenges in verifying information under humanitarian conditions in the Strip.
Returning from Gaza this week, Crickx shared heart-wrenching stories, emphasizing that more than half of the interviewed children had lost a family member, with three having lost a parent.
The situation is particularly dire for children in the north and the center of the Gaza Strip, where immediate care is hindered by the lack of essential resources.
Crickx called for urgent interim care on a large scale, ensuring children remain connected to their families for eventual reunification.
He stressed the severe impact on children’s mental health, citing symptoms such as high anxiety, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, and emotional outbursts triggered by the ongoing war.
Before the aggression, UNICEF identified over 500,000 children in need of mental health and psychosocial support in Gaza. In the current situation, Crickx estimated that the need has escalated to over 1 million children.
He underscored the necessity of a ceasefire for effective delivery of mental health support at scale.
Highlighting the disparity, Crickx stated, “These children don’t have anything to do with this. Yet they are suffering as no child should ever suffer. Not a single child, whatever the religion, nationality, language, and race.”
He emphasized that no child should endure the level of violence witnessed in Gaza since the Israeli aggression began.
