UNICEF condemns killing of children, women in Al Ahli Hospital
By Nambu Bernadette Franka
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF’s Executive Director Catherine Russell, has condemned the killing and injuring of children, and women at Al Ahli Hospital in the Gaza Strip.
This was during a statement he sent out on October 17, 2023.
According to the Director, the ongoing war is having a devastating impact on children and families.
” I am horrified by the reported deaths and injuries of children and women… the scenes on the ground are devastating. This underscores the deadly impact this ongoing war is having on children and families. In just 11 days, hundreds of children have tragically lost their lives – not including today’s deaths – and thousands more injured, and over 300,000 children displaced from their homes,” he said.
He went further to state that; “Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals, are unacceptable and must cease now. UNICEF reiterates its urgent plea for an immediate cessation of hostilities, ensuring the protection of children from harm and facilitating the safe and timely access of humanitarian aid to children in need. Every child, everywhere deserves peace,”.
Hundreds of people are believed to have died following a strike on a hospital in Gaza. Palestinian officials blamed ongoing Israeli airstrikes for the lethal incident, while a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said a Palestinian Islamic Jihad group is responsible for a “failed rocket launch” that hit the hospital.
An ongoing armed conflict between Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas and Israel and its defense forces began on 7 October 2023, with a coordinated surprise offensive on Israel. The attack began in the morning with a barrage of at least 3,000 rockets launched from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip against Israel.
