Gaza: UNICEF boss fumes as Israeli attacks kill 50 children in past 48 hours

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell has strongly condemned the latest surge in violence in North Gaza, which has claimed the lives of over 50 children in Jabalia alone over the past 48 hours.

Attacks by the Israeli forces mark another devastating weekend which left many more injured and displaced, adding to the already serious humanitarian crisis in the region.

Russell stressed that civilians, including humanitarian workers and children, must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law.

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A particularly disturbing incident involved a UNICEF staff member working on the polio vaccination campaign, who was attacked on Saturday by a suspected Israeli quadcopter in Jabalia. The staff member’s vehicle was damaged, but fortunately, they escaped injury.

However, the experience has left them deeply shaken. The attack, along with others on Jabalia and a vaccination clinic, highlights the grave consequences of indiscriminate strikes on civilians in the Gaza Strip.

“This morning, the personal vehicle of a UNICEF staff member working on the polio vaccination campaign came under fire by what we believe to be a quadcopter while driving through Jabalia – Elnazla. The car was damaged. Fortunately, the staff member was not injured. But she has been left deeply shaken,” she said.

“The attacks on Jabalia, the vaccination clinic and the UNICEF staff member are yet further examples of the grave consequences of the indiscriminate strikes on civilians in the Gaza strip,” Russell added.

Russell’s statement comes as the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with tens of thousands of children at risk of death, injury, and displacement. The ongoing conflict has disrupted essential services, leaving children vulnerable to disease and famine.

UNICEF is calling for an immediate investigation into the attack on its staff members and urging all parties to respect international law and protect civilians.

As Russell emphasized, “Attacks on civilians, including humanitarian workers, and what remains of Gaza’s civilian facilities and infrastructure must stop.”