Hundreds of thousands of children are affected by the violent conflict in Gaza and Israel. An unrelenting bombardment of Gaza followed the brutal attacks in Israel on the 7th of October. Violence is taking a terrible toll on the lives of children and families.  

Supply routes into Gaza have been severely impacted. Children and families are running out of food, water, electricity, and medicine. More than 1 million people in northern Gaza – nearly half of them children – have been warned to move south, as Israel continues a ground assault into one of the world’s most densely populated areas. ​

Homes and critical infrastructure lie in ruin. More than half of Gaza’s 35 hospitals, which are also being used as shelters for displaced people, are no longer functional. Many children and families have also sought shelter in schools. Any place where children are taking refuge must be protected from attack – in accordance with international humanitarian law.  

UNICEF welcomes the announcement of a temporary pause in fighting and the return of children to their families. However, we continue to call for a complete and immediate ceasefire and for the killing and maiming of children to stop.

Despite the dangerous security situation, UNICEF continues to deliver life-saving supplies, including medicines and clean water, as well as mental health support.  We have been able to bring some supplies into Gaza through the reopened Rafah Crossing with Egypt – but this has met only a tiny proportion of the need so far, and the temporary pause in hostilities will be insufficient to meet the dire needs in Gaza.

With supplies and living conditions rapidly declining, we need your help to reach more children and families. 

Please give what you can or start your own fundraiser to help reach children in Gaza.