Statement
World must act with urgency to save Palestinians in Gaza
NEW YORK, AMMAN, COPENHAGEN, GENEVA, ROME, 7 April 2025 - ", For over a month, no commercial or humanitarian supplies have entered Gaza. "More than 2.1 million people are trapped, bombed and starved again, while, at crossing points, food, medicine, fuel and shelter supplies are piling up, and vital equipment is st...
Press release
More than a million children in the Gaza Strip deprived of lifesaving aid for over one month
AMMAN, 5 April 2025 – , The blockade of humanitarian aid is having terrible consequences for one million children in the Gaza Strip. No aid has been allowed into the Gaza Strip since 2 March 2025 – representing the longest period of aid blockage since the start of the war – leading to shortages of food, safe water...
Press release
At least 322 children reportedly killed in the Gaza Strip following breakdown of ceasefire
NEW YORK/AMMAN, 31 March 2025, – The breakdown of the ceasefire and resumption of intense bombardments and ground operations in the Gaza Strip has reportedly left at least 322 children dead and 609 injured – constituting a daily average of around 100 children killed or maimed over the past 10 days. Most of these c...
Statement
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the announcement of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip
NEW YORK, 15 January 2025 –, “UNICEF welcomes the announcement today of a ceasefire deal between the parties to the conflict in the Gaza Strip. This is long overdue for the children and families of Gaza who have endured more than a year of bombardment and deprivation, and for the hostages in Gaza and their families in Israel who have suffered so much. “The war has exacted a…
Statement
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on military operations and border closures in Rafah, Gaza
NEW YORK, 9 May 2024 –, “The humanitarian response of UNICEF and our partners — and thus the lives of all the children and their families in the Gaza Strip who depend on it — requires fuel. We need fuel to move lifesaving supplies – medicine, treatments for malnutrition, tents and water pipes – as well as staff t...
Statement
Number of children killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, reaches unprecedented levels
AMMAN, 28 December 2023 –, “This year has been the deadliest year on record for children in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with conflict-related violence reaching unprecedented levels. “83 children have been killed in the past twelve weeks – more than double the number of children killed in all of 2022, amid increased military and law enforcement operations. More…
Statement
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the resumption of fighting in Gaza
NEW YORK, 1 December 2023, – “Today, the Gaza Strip is once again the most dangerous place in the world to be a child. After seven days of respite from horrific violence, fighting has resumed. More children will surely die as a result. “Before the pause, more than 5,300 Palestinian children were reportedly killed...
Remarks
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell’s remarks at the UN Security Council briefing on the protection of children in Gaza
NEW YORK, November 22, 2023 – , “Excellencies, “Thank you to Ambassador Nusseibeh, Ambassador Zhang Jun, and Ambassador Frazier for bringing us together to speak about the worsening situation for children in the State of Palestine and Israel. “I would also like to thank this Council for its adoption of Resolution ...
Press release
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on her visit to Gaza
GAZA, 15 November 2023, – “Today I visited the Gaza Strip to meet with children, their families and UNICEF staff. What I saw and heard was devastating. They have endured repeated bombardment, loss and displacement. Inside the Strip, there is nowhere safe for Gaza’s one million children to turn. “The parties to th...
Remarks
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell briefs UN Security Council on humanitarian situation in Gaza (as delivered)
Excellencies, Thank you to Ambassador Nusseibeh and Ambassador França Danese for convening this meeting, and to Members of the Security Council, for this opportunity to speak with you about the humanitarian situation in the State of Palestine and Israel. At UNICEF, we firmly believe that the true cost of this late...
Statement
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on deteriorating situation for children in Israel and the State of Palestine
NEW YORK, 9 October 2023, –, , “Nothing justifies the killing, maiming or abducting of children – grave rights violations which UNICEF wholeheartedly condemns. “Yet less than 72 hours after the outbreak of horrific violence in Israel, reports indicate that grave rights violations against children are rampant. Many children have been killed or injured, while countless others…, Notes to editors:, In a press briefing at the Palais des Nations in G...
Press release
One week on from devastating earthquakes, millions of children remain in need of urgent humanitarian assistance
NEW YORK/AMMAN/GENEVA, 13 February 2023 – , Seven days after two devastating earthquakes and more than 1,600 aftershocks hit south-east Türkiye and Syria – causing widespread destruction and taking the lives of thousands of people – UNICEF is warning that millions of children are in need of urgent humanitarian sup...