Region

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | Daily Newspaper published by GPPC Doha, Qatar.

Region

Children walk along the coastal highway with other displaced Palestinians fleeing from the area in the vicinity of Gaza City's al-Shifa hospital, upon arrival at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Monday. AFP

Over 13,000 children killed in Gaza in Israel offensive: UNICEF

The UN children's agency said on Sunday over 13,000 children have been killed in Gaza in Israel's offensive, adding many kids were suffering from severe malnutrition and did not "even have the energy to cry."UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell did not provide a source for the child fatality figure during an interview with CBS News.When asked if Russell was referring to the agency's own estimate or was basing the figure on reporting from authorities in Hamas-governed Gaza, a UNICEF spokesperson pointed to a press statement by the UN children's agency that attributed the figure to Gaza's health ministry."Thousands more have been injured or we can't even determine where they are. They may be stuck under rubble ... We haven't seen that rate of death among children in almost any other conflict in the world," Russell told CBS News' "Face the Nation" program."I've been in wards of children who are suffering from severe anemia malnutrition, the whole ward is absolutely quiet. Because the children, the babies ... don't even have the energy to cry."Russell said there were "very great bureaucratic challenges" moving trucks into Gaza for aid and assistance.A March 14 infographic from OCHA, the UN humanitarian office, cites the Gaza government media office as saying that over 13,000 children and at least 9,000 women have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7. UN agencies have relied on Gaza authorities for casualty information during the war.International criticism has mounted on Israel due to the death toll of the war, the starvation crisis in Gaza, and allegations of blocking aid deliveries into the enclave.A UN expert said earlier this month that Israel was destroying Gaza's food system as part of a broader "starvation campaign." Israel rejected the accusation.Israel's military assault on Gaza has displaced nearly its entire 2.3 million-person population, caused a starvation crisis, flattened most of the enclave, and killed over 31,000 people, according to Gaza's health ministry. It has also led to accusations of genocide being probed in the World Court.One in three children under age 2 in northern Gaza is now acutely malnourished and famine is looming, the main UN agency operating in the Palestinian enclave said on Saturday.

Muslims devotees offer first Friday prayers of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the compound of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem.

OIC slams illegal Israeli measures in Aqsa Mosque

The Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) expressed its rejection and strong condemnation of all illegal Israeli occupation measures aimed at changing the legal and historical status of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, by installing iron barriers in its surroundings, imposing restrictions on freedom of access to it, and storming it and attacking worshippers in its courtyards, in flagrant violation of international law and relevant UN resolutions.The organisation reiterated, in a statement, that the city of Jerusalem is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory, and the capital of the State of Palestine, and that the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in its entirety is a pure place of worship for Muslims only, and that all Israeli measures and decisions aimed at imposing sovereignty over Jerusalem and Muslim and Christian sanctities, especially Al-Aqsa Mosque, have no legal effect and are considered null and void under international law and relevant UN resolutions.The organisation held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the repercussions of these serious violations, calling on the international community to assume its responsibilities in putting an end to these Israeli violations that would lead to fuelling violence, escalating tension, and destabilising security and stability in the region, stressing the need to ensure respect for the holy places and freedom of worship in them.The OIC also strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli occupation's commission of humanitarian crimes in the Gaza Strip, after targeting a gathering of Palestinian civilians waiting for humanitarian aid at Kuwait Square in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths and injuries of dozens.In a statement Friday, the organisation considered this crime as a deliberate act of genocide that warrants investigation and accountability.It reiterated its call on the UN Security Council to urgently adopt a decisive resolution to halt the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and ensure the adequate and sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid to all parts of the region.Meanwhile, the Palestinian Presidency has warned of the consequences of the Israeli government's decision to carry out a military operation in the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, and commit new massacres, continuing the crimes of displacement against the Palestinian people.In a statement yeterday, the Presidency called for urgent intervention from the US administration and the international community to prevent such a dangerous aggression, which exacerbates the suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.The statement reiterated the Palestinian Presidency's firm and categorical rejection of any displacement, considering it a red line. It also emphasised the need to stop the aggression, withdraw the Israeli occupation army from the Gaza Strip, and compel the Israeli government to implement international legitimacy resolutions.The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concerns about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza escalating to even harsher levels if the Israeli regime launches a ground military attack on Rafah.

SIGN UP FOR THE GULF TIMES NEWSLETTER
Our biggest stories, delivered to your inbox every day.
See all newsletters.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from GULF TIMES. You can unsubscribe at any time.