In a statement released here, the director general of that entity, Carherine Russell, recalled that the new Palestinian generations “are paying the highest price with their lives and their future” despite the fact that they did not start the conflict nor do they have a way to stop it.

“In the last 14 months, it has been reported that more than 14,500 children have died and practically all of the 1.1 million children in Gaza need urgent protection and mental health support,” said the senior official in a statement.

At the same time, famine continues to stalk the north and humanitarian access remains severely restricted, she added.

Russell called for concerted action from the international community after another devastating attack on the Nuseirat camp in the center of the enclave was reported on Friday, where 33 people were killed, including at least eight children, and 50 were injured by airstrikes. The latest acts of violence add to the alarming number of more than 160 children who have died in the Strip in just over a month, added the head of Unicef.

“The world cannot look the other way when so many children are exposed daily to bloodshed, hunger, disease and cold,” she insisted.

According to figures from the Children’s Fund, preventable diseases continue to spread rapidly, including more than 800 cases of hepatitis and more than 300 cases of chickenpox, while thousands of children suffer from skin rashes and acute respiratory infections.

“There is no safe space or sense of stability for children in Gaza, who are lacking essentials such as food, clean water, medical supplies and warm clothing as winter temperatures drop,” UNICEF chief warned.

UNICEF reiterated its urgent call to all parties to the conflict and those with influence over them to take decisive action to end the suffering of children, release all hostages, ensure respect for children’s rights and comply with obligations under international humanitarian law.

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