New Delhi: The UN Security Council has received a report indicating that 32,990 children were killed or maimed in 2023, making it the highest number ever recorded. The report, released by UNICEF, also found that 4,312 Palestinian and 70 Israeli children were killed or maimed, representing 37 per cent of all verified cases of killing and maiming.
Most of the casualties were caused by explosive weapons in populated areas, the report said. According to the report, the scale of the violence against children in Gaza is particularly alarming, with 4,312 children killed or maimed since the start of the conflict in 2023. UNICEF verified that more than 23,000 other children have also been reported killed or maimed, but the actual number is likely much higher, as many children remain missing and their bodies are still buried under rubble.
The report, UNICEF, said, is a wake-up call for the international community to take action to protect children from all forms of violence. It is particularly important to ensure that children are protected from the harmful effects of armed conflict, including recruitment and use of children for military purposes, sexual violence, and discrimination based on gender or ethnicity.
UNICEF is also calling on the international community to support the efforts of humanitarian organizations in providing protection and assistance to children affected by conflict. The report makes it clear that more needs to be done to address the escalating conflict in Gaza and to ensure that the international community does not forget the plight of children in need.