Tragic Toll of Conflict in Gaza: Over 20,000 Palestinian Children Dead
Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of Palestinian children at an alarming rate of one per hour over the past 23 months, according to a report by Save the Children. The total death toll among children has now surpassed 20,000, a statistic described by the organization as one of the most horrifying indications of the ongoing humanitarian crisis, reports 24brussels.
The Gaza Government Media Office indicates that this figure constitutes approximately 2% of the region’s child population. Among the casualties are over 1,000 infants under the age of one, nearly half of whom were born and subsequently killed during the conflict.
As per Gaza’s Ministry of Health, more than 42,000 children have suffered injuries, while the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities reports that 21,000 children have acquired permanent disabilities. Thousands more remain unaccounted for, with many believed to be trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings.
The humanitarian impact is staggering, with nearly all of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure severely damaged or destroyed. Reports suggest that 97% of schools and 94% of hospitals have been impacted by the ongoing violence. Children are particularly at risk of severe injury from blasts, being seven times more likely than adults to die from such circumstances due to their smaller body size and the lack of specialized medical care.
Save the Children’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support team has documented the overwhelming grief experienced by bereaved parents. Families not only mourn the loss of their children to airstrikes but also contend with malnutrition, forced displacement, and constant bombardment.
“Parents whose children were killed speak of a pain no one should have to endure—of being unable to hold their child one last time, of being denied a final farewell,” the organization remarked.
The ongoing situation has drawn international attention, with calls for an immediate ceasefire gaining momentum. UNRWA has highlighted the dire conditions in Gaza, pointing to a manmade famine that could be alleviated through political will and humanitarian access.
“Total impunity and lack of empathy have made life for Gazans an inferno. The latest plague is a manmade #famine. It can be reversed: all it takes to change course is political will, open the gates and let us work. In Cairo today, I called again for an immediate #ceasefire to…”
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) September 6, 2025
The statistics and testimonies underscoring the ramifications of the conflict reflect a broader crisis that demands urgent global attention and intervention. The plight of Gaza’s children continues to serve as a grim reminder of the toll of war on the most vulnerable.