At least 300 children have reportedly died in Gaza during the 300 days since a ceasefire was announced in October 2025, which equates to an average of one child killed every day, UNICEF warned on Thursday.
The deaths have occurred despite the agreement to suspend military operations and allow the full entry of humanitarian aid and assistance, announced almost ten months ago. Hundreds more children have been injured, many of them seriously.
“A ceasefire that leaves an average of one child dead every day is failing children,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
“With hundreds more children injured, many of them seriously, the children of Gaza continue to wait for the end of the violence that they were promised,” he added.
Families concentrated in a third of Gaza
Families are now concentrated in approximately one-third of the Gaza Strip, where many are sheltering in unsafe conditions among destroyed buildings, rubble, and accumulated solid waste.
In addition to the persistent violence, other threats to children continue to plague the region. Children face acute malnutrition, disease, unsafe water, and damaged sanitation systems in an area where access to essential services remains severely compromised.
These conditions make it especially important that humanitarian assistance can reach those who need it safely, quickly and without hindrance.
“Will children stop dying?”
The announcements made in recent days outline a roadmap for the next phase of the ceasefire, which includes measures aimed at ending hostilities and expanding humanitarian assistance.
For UNICEF, these advances represent a new opportunity to finally stop child deaths, but their true impact will have to be measured by the changes they produce on the ground.
“For the children of Gaza, the test is simple. Will they stop dying? Will large-scale aid reach them? Will the hospitals reopen and will the water flow again? Will the children be able to safely return to school in September? ” Beigbeder asked.
“Children have heard promises before. This time, the agreements must be translated into action,” he added.
Protecting children and ensuring aid
UNICEF called on all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights standards.
The agency reminded the parties that they must protect children and ensure their access to essential goods and services , including health care, education, safe water and food.
He also called for safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to reach children in need of assistance.