UNICEF: 265 Palestinian Children Killed Since Gaza Ceasefire Declared
Geneva (ANTARA) - At least 265 Palestinian children have died in the Gaza Strip since a ceasefire was announced in October 2025, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) stated on Friday.
The organisation described the ceasefire as a “deadly illusion” and warned that violence continues despite the announced cessation of hostilities.
“In a period that should be marked by restraint and protection, an average of one child has been killed every day for more and more than eight months,” UNICEF Spokesperson James Elder told journalists in Geneva.
He described the ceasefire as a “cruel and deadly illusion” and questioned whether the current situation can still be called a ceasefire when children continue to lose their lives.
“While the world continues to talk about a ceasefire, families in Gaza continue to bury their sons and daughters,” he said.
Elder stated that these children died in homes, schools, and public spaces, including while playing football or fishing.
“This week, a two-year-old boy was shot dead by Israeli forces. A 13-year-old boy was shot dead inside his tent. A five-year-old boy and his father died due to an Israeli attack, and similar incidents continue to occur,” he said.
A meaningless ceasefire
According to UNICEF, more than 400 children have also been injured since October, with many suffering severe injuries.
“The suffering does not end with those who have died. More than 400 children have been injured, many of them sustaining very serious wounds,” said Elder.
He cited the case of a 12-year-old girl shot in the chest while inside a tent, as well as a three-year-old girl shot in the face by a bullet fired from a quadcopter drone while in her home.
Elder warned that hundreds of children require urgent medical evacuation. He also noted that restrictions on the supply of essential medicines increase the risk of infection, complications, and amputations for injured children.
In addition to the physical impact, he highlighted the psychological toll that continues to burden children in Gaza.
“For the children of Gaza, fear, loss, and violence have become so constant that trauma is no longer just an episode in their lives, but has become integrated into their childhood,” he said.
Elder urged governments and international institutions to take action. According to him, the ongoing deaths of children during a ceasefire period should be a serious concern for parties committed to upholding international law.
He also mentioned the situation in Lebanon, where UNICEF recorded 247 children killed and 992 others injured since the escalation of hostilities on 2 March.
“No ceasefire can be considered meaningful as long as children continue to be killed,” said Elder.