GENEVA – In a powerful statement delivered on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) condemned the catastrophic toll that nearly two years of relentless violence in Gaza has exacted on innocent children. Speaking at a UN press briefing in Geneva, UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires called for an immediate ceasefire by Israel to halt what he described as an "unprecedented" level of violence in the besieged Palestinian enclave. The agency’s plea underscored the dire humanitarian crisis gripping Gaza, where children are bearing the brunt of the ongoing conflict.
“For nearly two years now, children have paid the heaviest price in this crisis,” Pires declared, emphasizing the staggering human cost. He revealed a chilling statistic: on average, one child is either killed or maimed every 17 minutes in Gaza. “This is unacceptable,” he said. “The scale of suffering is staggering, and it is children who are enduring the most severe physical and psychological trauma.” Pires painted a grim picture of the daily realities faced by Gaza’s children, many of whom have been orphaned, displaced multiple times, or exposed to horrors no child should ever witness. The psychological scars, he noted, are as devastating as the physical injuries, with countless children grappling with the trauma of living amidst constant violence.
The statement came on the second anniversary of the escalation of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which began in October 2023. Since then, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 67,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, according to UNICEF. The relentless Israeli airstrikes and bombardments have left the enclave virtually uninhabitable, triggering mass displacement, widespread starvation, and the rapid spread of disease. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, schools and hospitals destroyed, and basic infrastructure obliterated, leaving millions without access to clean water, food, or medical care.
Pires highlighted the acute challenges facing Gaza’s children, who are caught in a cycle of deprivation and danger. “Children are not just collateral damage in this conflict—they are being systematically robbed of their futures,” he said. Many have lost parents or siblings, while others have been forced to flee their homes repeatedly, often with nowhere safe to go. The constant threat of airstrikes, coupled with the lack of access to basic necessities, has created a living nightmare for Gaza’s youngest residents. “No child should have to endure such horrors,” Pires stressed, calling for urgent international action to protect them.
UNICEF also expressed grave concern over the repeated denial of humanitarian access to Gaza, which has exacerbated the crisis. Pires detailed how critical medical supplies, including incubators and ventilators desperately needed for premature babies, have been blocked from entering the enclave. “We’re talking about children sharing oxygen masks just to stay alive,” he said, underscoring the dire situation in Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals. The agency reported that one in five babies in Gaza is now born prematurely, a alarming increase attributed to the extreme stress and malnutrition faced by pregnant women. Without immediate access to specialized equipment, many of these infants face life-threatening risks.
The lack of humanitarian access extends beyond medical supplies. UNICEF has been awaiting clearance to deliver critical equipment from northern Gaza to the south, despite repeated requests to Israeli authorities. Pires described the bureaucratic obstacles as “unconscionable,” noting that delays are costing lives. “Every day that passes without these supplies reaching those in need is another day of unnecessary suffering,” he said.
Malnutrition has emerged as another devastating consequence of the conflict. Pires revealed that over 10,000 children have been diagnosed with acute malnutrition in the past two months alone. In Gaza City, approximately 2,400 children are currently receiving treatment for severe acute malnutrition, a condition that can be fatal without sustained medical intervention. “These children are on the brink,” Pires warned. “If they are cut off from care, the consequences will be catastrophic.” The combination of food shortages, restricted humanitarian aid, and ongoing violence has created a perfect storm, leaving thousands of children at risk of starvation.
UNICEF’s call for a ceasefire comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. On September 29, 2025, US President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point peace proposal aimed at ending the violence. The plan includes the release of all Israeli captives held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a comprehensive ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas, and a commitment to rebuilding Gaza’s shattered infrastructure. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group governing Gaza, has agreed to the proposal in principle, raising hopes for a potential breakthrough. However, Pires noted that despite these efforts, bombardments and airstrikes continue unabated in both northern and southern Gaza, undermining prospects for peace and perpetuating the suffering of civilians.
“The disproportionate response that followed the events of October 2023, which today continues, needs to end, and it needs to end now,” Pires implored. He reiterated UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to supporting Gaza’s children but stressed that humanitarian aid alone cannot address the root causes of the crisis. “We need a ceasefire to allow aid to flow freely, to protect civilians, and to give children a chance to heal and rebuild their lives,” he said. Without an immediate halt to the violence, Pires warned, the toll on Gaza’s children will only grow more devastating.
The broader humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. The Israeli military campaign, which intensified following the events of October 2023, has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, with many families forced to live in makeshift shelters or overcrowded camps. The destruction of hospitals and clinics has left the healthcare system on the verge of collapse, with medical staff struggling to treat patients under impossible conditions. Water and sanitation infrastructure have been decimated, leading to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and hepatitis. Food insecurity has reached critical levels, with families rationing meager supplies or resorting to eating inedible plants to survive.
UNICEF’s appeal is part of a broader international outcry over the situation in Gaza. Human rights organizations, UN agencies, and world leaders have repeatedly called for an end to the violence and for accountability for violations of international humanitarian law. The targeting of civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, has drawn particular condemnation, as has the use of starvation as a weapon of war. Pires emphasized that children, who make up nearly half of Gaza’s population, are disproportionately affected by these violations. “They are not just numbers,” he said. “They are individuals with dreams, hopes, and the right to a future.”
As the conflict enters its third year, the international community faces growing pressure to act decisively. UNICEF’s call for a ceasefire aligns with broader efforts to secure a lasting resolution to the crisis. However, the agency stressed that any peace agreement must prioritize the protection of civilians, particularly children, and ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid. “The children of Gaza cannot wait any longer,” Pires said. “The world must act now to save them.”
In addition to its advocacy, UNICEF is working tirelessly to provide emergency assistance to Gaza’s children. The agency is distributing food, water, and medical supplies where possible, while also supporting psychosocial programs to help children cope with trauma. However, these efforts are severely hampered by the ongoing violence and restrictions on aid. Pires called on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and prioritize the safety of civilians.
The situation in Gaza serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of prolonged conflict on vulnerable populations. For the children of Gaza, the past two years have been a relentless ordeal of fear, loss, and survival. UNICEF’s urgent appeal underscores the need for immediate action to end the violence and address the humanitarian crisis. As Pires concluded, “The children of Gaza deserve a future free from fear and suffering. It is our collective responsibility to make that future a reality.”
