Over 45,000 people have been killed in Gaza in the last 14 months even as deadly airstrikes continue to devastate the enclave, including an attack on a UN school sheltering displaced families. Humanitarian organizations warn of worsening conditions and call for urgent international intervention.
On Sunday night, an airstrike hit a UN school-turned-shelter in Khan Younis. The attack left 13 dead and 48 injured. Survivors said there was no warning before the shell struck.
Images from the site showed a concrete upper floor destroyed, where families had been living. Many victims were children.
UNRWA Senior Emergency Officer Louise Wateridge described the tragedy as part of Gaza’s daily horrors. She met Mona, a 17-year-old with severe leg injuries. Mona and her sister were both mourning their mother. She was crushed under rubble.
Another victim, two-year-old Julia, lost her sight in one eye due to severe head trauma. Her brother also suffered a critical head injury. The family, displaced multiple times, had sought refuge in the school for seven months.
“This feels utterly hopeless,” Wateridge said.
CHILDREN SUFFER THE MOST AS DEATH TOLL RISES
UNICEF reports that over 14,500 children have died in Gaza since the conflict began. Thousands more remain buried under rubble.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell highlighted the urgent need for mental health support and protection for nearly all 1.1 million children in Gaza. The situation grows worse daily, with escalating military activity claiming dozens of lives across the region.
Food Aid Blocked Amid Looming Famine
Humanitarian access to Gaza remains severely restricted. The World Food Programme (WFP) warned of a growing risk of famine, especially in northern Gaza.
WFP Head of Emergency Communications Jonathan Dumont described the catastrophic conditions:
- No electricity, running water, or sewage treatment
- Most homes destroyed, leaving families to live in tents
- Desperation among Gazans at food distribution points
“We have hot meals and basic distributions, but it’s not enough,” Dumont said. “To prevent famine, we need a consistent flow of food into Gaza.”
HUMANITARIAN TOLL: URGENT GLOBAL ACTION NEEDED
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a breaking point. Over 45,000 lives have been lost, with children bearing the brunt of the suffering. Famine threatens millions, while blocked aid worsens the dire situation.
International leaders must act swiftly to ensure humanitarian corridors, food aid, and medical support reach Gaza. Without intervention, the tragedy will only deepen, leaving countless more lives at risk.
