Statement by UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Edouard Beigbeder, on the ongoing killings of children across the Gaza Strip

AMMAN, 20 October 2026 – “Fourteen-year-old Mohamed was walking home from a UNICEF-supported learning centre on 17 October in Deir al Balah in the Gaza Strip when he was reported hit in the street by an armed drone strike and killed. His school bag was left lying beside his body.

“The next day, six-year-old Misk – a first-grade student at a UNICEF learning centre - was at home when she was reported killed by gunfire in al-Maghazi. Later that day, 12-year-old Tamer was reported shot while on the ruins of his home in the Beit Lahia area.

“On Tuesday, 14-year-old Baraa was reported killed by tank fire in northern Nuseirat and in the early hours of this morning a shell hit a school where families are sheltering, injuring two children.

“They are among eight children reported killed and 20 injured in just six days across the Gaza Strip, bringing the total number of children killed since the announcement of the October 2025 ceasefire to 351. This level of violence against children is unacceptable.  

“For children who survive attacks, their physical and mental recovery are further hindered by Gaza’s decimated health system. Like 16-year-old Raghad who left home for her learning centre six days ago when she was reported hit in the back by gunfire near Beit Lahia.

“The bullet lodged between her spine and lungs. She is in constant pain and struggling to breathe. Doctors say she needs surgery, but without the equipment required to produce clear scans, they cannot safely operate. For now, Raghad waits, uncertain when the treatment she needs will come.

“Children must be protected wherever they are. At home, while playing, walking to, or from, class, anywhere. They have suffered enough.

“Gaza’s children are trying to recover their childhoods, to find some routine and stability in their young lives, which for too many have again been cut short. A ceasefire that does not protect children has failed them.

“UNICEF calls on the Israeli authorities to take immediate and decisive action to protect children in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law. This includes respecting the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in all attacks, taking all feasible measures to avoid and minimize civilian harm, and ensuring that children receive the special protection to which they are entitled under international humanitarian law.

“Authorities must also ensure transparent and robust accountability when children are killed or maimed and take effective action to deter further violence.”