The Government Media Office in Gaza announced that more than 21,500 children , including 1,022 infants, have been killed since the outbreak of the war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, as the first thousand days of Israeli military operations pass, at a time when international warnings continue about the deterioration of the humanitarian situation and the rising number of civilian casualties.
According to statistics published by the office, the total number of Palestinian martyrs has risen to 73,066, while the number of injured has reached 173,514, including more than 44,500 children, while about 9,500 Palestinians are still missing and are believed to be under the rubble of destroyed buildings.
The office noted that more than 90% of the buildings in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed, while about 80% of the area of the Strip has come under Israeli control, according to official data issued by it.
In a related context, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that more than 11,000 children suffered injuries that it described as “life-changing,” including up to 4,000 amputations, many of which were performed under extremely difficult medical conditions.
For his part, the regional director of Save the Children, Ahmed Alhendawi, said that the international community “has failed for a thousand days to protect the children of Gaza from being killed and maimed,” considering that the continued supply of weapons to Israel in parallel with the continuation of military operations exacerbates the suffering of civilians, especially children.
UNICEF had previously described Gaza as “the most dangerous place in the world for children,” given the ongoing military operations and the deterioration of health and humanitarian services.
In a report released last month, a UN commission of inquiry concluded that children comprised approximately 30% of all victims of the bombing in Gaza, noting that the targeting of children was a key element in the incidents the commission was investigating as part of allegations of international crimes. The commission had previously concluded that there were indications of acts it termed genocide, while the International Court of Justice is considering a case brought by South Africa against Israel on this matter, a case that remains pending.
Data from the government media office also showed that 460 people died due to malnutrition, including 164 children, in addition to the deaths of 28 displaced people, most of them children, as a result of low temperatures inside displacement camps.
According to UNICEF, more than 1,000 Palestinians, including at least 265 children, have been killed since the ceasefire announced in October 2025 came into effect, and the organization described the truce as not providing adequate protection for civilians.
On the social front, data indicates that 39,022 Palestinian families suffered direct losses during the war, including more than 2,700 families completely wiped out, while 6,020 families were left with only one surviving member. The number of orphans rose to over 58,800, including 2,700 children who lost both parents, while the number of widows reached 26,370.
In a recent report by Save the Children, the organization quoted the testimony of Palestinian girl Amani (14 years old), who said: “We may die at any moment. I hope the war will stop so that I can continue my education in Gaza, and live in peace and love like any girl anywhere else.”
The war in the Gaza Strip continues amid differing international positions on the course of military operations, at a time when international and human rights calls are increasing for the protection of civilians, ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid, and holding those responsible for any potential violations of international humanitarian law accountable.
