Crisis in Israel and Gaza: One-Month On
As the violence continues, children continue to pay the heaviest price.
One month on, the dramatic escalation in violence witnessed in Israel and Gaza has resulted in horrendous consequences for children.
Children are always the most vulnerable in every conflict.
In Gaza, a humanitarian catastrophe looms. Children have been cut off from the basics they need to survive.
There is no electricity or fuel, leaving hospitals unable to operate and thousands of lives at risk, including some 5,500 pregnant women who are due to give birth in the coming month.
The number of children killed in Gaza in just three weeks has surpassed the annual number of children killed in conflict zones since 2019.
Since October 7, more than 4,080 children have been reported killed, including at least 4,008 in Gaza, 43 in the West Bank and 29 in Israel, according to the Ministries of Health in Gaza and Israel respectively.
Save the Children condemns all acts of violence against children in the strongest possible terms. All children held hostage must be unconditionally released, immediately, and an urgent ceasefire must be agreed upon.
Protecting Children in Crisis
We are prepared to respond to the impacts this conflict is having on children and their families.
This past month, our teams have worked around the clock.
We are working with partner organizations in Gaza to distribute the limited aid supplies available.
Last week, three trucks of supplies, totaling 57 metric tons, carried bottled water and medical supplies into Gaza via Egypt’s Rafah crossing in partnership with the Egyptian Red Crescent.
We have been able to get essentials to families at home and in UN shelters:
3,125 food baskets
1,000 hygiene kits
21,000 water bottles
In southern Lebanon, we’re providing aid to
displaced families and coordinating with local organizations to pre-position supplies to prepare for a larger-scale response in case violence escalates.
As medical evacuees from Gaza make their
way into Egypt, our staff are procuring essential supplies to support hospitals and ambulances treating the injured.
We will continue to respond in this way for as long as supplies and circumstances allow. But it is a drop in the ocean.
Our Humanitarian Principles
Save the Children does not discriminate. We go where needs are greatest.
Our responsibility is to the children and families impacted by humanitarian crises.
Save the Children is a rights-based organization and is committed to the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.
Humanity
Save the Children’s humanitarian action is driven by the humanitarian imperative to save lives and protect children and their families, alleviate suffering, restore dignity and aid the recovery process.
Impartiality
Save the Children’s humanitarian action must be based on the needs alone without any discrimination on the basis of nationality, race, gender, religious belief, class or political opinions.
Independence
Save the Children’s humanitarian action aims to be operationally independent and ensures that our activities are independent from the political, economic, military or other objectives.
Neutrality
Save the Children’s humanitarian action aims to be operationally neutral and not take sides in hostilities or engage in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature in ways that would hinder assistance.
While aid entering Gaza is important, it is not enough.
There must be a consistent safe passage of aid and an immediate ceasefire.
Thank you for protecting children no matter where they live.
We are able to respond and advocate for children living in conflict because of you. Our efforts thus far are merely a beginning. Humanitarian assistance must be scaled up to meet the demands of this crisis. Your partnership gives us the resources to expand our response for children and families when there is safe access for humanitarian aid and staff.
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