Gaza and Israel Crisis

UNICEF welcomes the ceasefire deal between the parties to the conflict in Gaza. This is long overdue for the children and families of Gaza who have endured more than a year of bombardment and deprivation, and for the hostages in Gaza and their families in Israel who have suffered so much.

UNICEF and partners are scaling up the response, with trucks loaded with water, hygiene kits and nutrition items entering the Gaza Strip. With the collapse of essential services across Gaza, we must act urgently to save lives and help children recover.  

The scale of humanitarian needs is enormous. Thousands of children have been killed and thousands more injured in the Gaza strip. The crisis has left up to 1.9 million people – about 9 in 10 of Gaza’s population – internally displaced. A high risk of famine persists. Hunger and disease, including the resurfacing of polio, threaten children’s lives.  

With the arrival of winter, children and families already experiencing loss and displacement will also have to face strong winds, falling temperatures and heavy rains without adequate shelter or warmth.  

UNICEF continues to call on all parties to ensure safe, unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to reach every child, and for the immediate and safe release of all abducted children.  

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN GAZA  

Children and families in the Gaza Strip are facing the deadly effects of disease and malnutrition as the conflict has cut them off from safe water, food and medicine.

In the wake of the ceasefire, UNICEF and partners are scaling up the response, delivering life-saving medicine, nutrition, water, protection and more. And as winter weather sets in, UNICEF is also enhancing shelter conditions, distributing heating equipment and delivering warm clothes and blankets to protect children from the elements.

We will not give up. UNICEF urges for full adherence to the ceasefire to protect the safety of all humanitarian aid workers including UNICEF staff, and those they serve. 

HOW IS UNICEF RESPONDING TO THE CRISIS IN GAZA?

Following the deadly attacks on October 7, 2023, and despite the extreme security situation, UNICEF was still able to get aid in the Gaza Strip. As the ceasefire takes effect, we will continue working with partners to scale up our response and provide children and families with urgent, humanitarian support, including: 

• Winter supplies, including heating equipment, warm clothes and blankets; 
• Safe Water; 
• Essential medical supplies; 
• Hygiene Kits; 
• Therapeutic food and nutritional supplements; 
• Mental health and psychosocial support; 
• Emergency supplies like tarps and tents; 
• Essential vaccines; 
• Recreational activities for children; and 
• Humanitarian cash transfers. 

There is an enormous need for humanitarian assistance, and UNICEF and partners are moving hundreds of trucks full of life-saving supplies for children and families across Gaza. 

WHAT IS UNICEF DOING FOR ISRAELI CHILDREN?

Since October 9, 2023, UNICEF has called for the release of abducted Israeli children in over 360 public statements, remarks, interviews with press, as well as across social media. We have reiterated these demands at the UN Security Council, imploring the adoption of a resolution that includes the release of all abducted children.

In high-income countries such as Israel, governments generally have the capacity to respond to emergencies. In extraordinary circumstances, upon request from the Government, UNICEF may consider extending support, such as psychosocial support for children.  

UNICEF Israel is one of UNICEF’s 32 National Committees, like UNICEF Canada. It was established in 2009 and works to raise awareness of children’s rights in Israel and to raise funds for UNICEF’s life-saving work across the world.