322 children killed since Israel’s renewed Gaza offensive

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) says at least 322 children have been killed and 609 others wounded since Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza two weeks ago.

The BBC reported, citing UNICEF, “relentless and indiscriminate bombardments” had resumed in Gaza, with 100 children killed or maimed every day in the 10 days to 31 March.”

Many of the children who lost their lives had already been displaced, sheltering in makeshift tents or damaged homes, the report added.

UNICEF relies on figures provided by Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, numbers that Israel has consistently disputed. However, the UN and other international bodies consider them credible.

“The ceasefire in Gaza provided a desperately needed lifeline for children and a glimmer of hope for recovery,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

“But once again, children have been plunged into a cycle of deadly violence and deprivation,” the director regretted.

Israel restarted its offensive on 18 March, accusing Hamas of rejecting a new US-backed proposal to extend the ceasefire and release the 59 hostages still held in Gaza.

However, Hamas accused Israel of violating the original ceasefiredeal they had agreed to in January.

Since the war began more than 18 months ago, UNICEF said that 15,000 children had reportedly been killed, over 34,000 injured and nearly one million repeatedly displaced.

kk/mud