AMMAN: Around 40 children have been killed and many injured in one year of demonstrations along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, the UN said Thursday, calling for an “urgent de-escalation.”
Thousands of Palestinians have gathered at least weekly along the border in protests that have led to deadly clashes with the Israeli military.
Demonstrators are calling for Israel to lift its crippling decade-long blockade of Gaza, while also demanding refugees be allowed to return to homes their families fled in the late 1940s during the creation of the Jewish state.
Around 40 children have been killed in the protests and “nearly 3,000 others have been hospitalized with injuries, many leading to life-long disabilities,” the UN children’s agency (UNICEF) said.
“UNICEF reiterates its outrage at the very high numbers of children who have been killed and injured as a result of armed conflict 2018,” said UNICEF’s Middle East director Geert Cappelaere.
He called on both sides to “ensure children are not targeted.”
“Exploiting children’s lack of sense of purpose and vulnerabilities or enlisting them into violence are violations of children’s rights.”
In total, 258 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since the protests began, most during border clashes.
Two Israeli soldiers have also been killed over the same period.
Israel says its response is necessary to defend the border and accuses Hamas, with whom it has fought three wars, of orchestrating violence there.
The UNICEF statement follows another severe flare-up this week between Hamas and Israel, with a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip that sparked retaliatory air strikes.
A mass border protest planned for Saturday to mark the first anniversary of the demonstrations has raised fears of further tensions.
40 children killed in year of Gaza border protests: UNICEF
40 children killed in year of Gaza border protests: UNICEF
- Around 40 children have been killed in the protests and “nearly 3,000 others have been hospitalized with injuries
US envoy to UN discusses Jordan’s humanitarian aid for Gaza
- Prince Rashid bin El-Hassan, along with UN and US delegation, inaugurated new JHCS logistics operations center
- US Ambassador to UN Mike Waltz’s visit aims to remove bureaucratic obstacles to support Gaza’s humanitarian operations in the coming period
LONDON: Prince Rashid bin El-Hassan, chairman of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, met with US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz to discuss Jordan’s aid efforts for the Gaza Strip.
During the meeting, attended by representatives from UN agencies in Jordan and a delegation from the US Embassy in Amman, Prince Rashid emphasized Jordan’s commitment to continuing its humanitarian efforts in support of Gaza through international partnerships.
The meeting also discussed ways to improve the Jordanian relief corridor and to eliminate all obstacles, ensuring efficient delivery of aid to the Palestinian coastal enclave.
Prince Rashid, along with the UN and US delegation, inaugurated the new JHCO logistics operations center.
Waltz highlighted the US partnership with Jordan, recognizing its role in delivering humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. He mentioned that US assistance includes tents, blankets, medical supplies, food, and flour, according to the Petra news agency.
Waltz emphasized that the ceasefire and the implementation of the agreement, along with the release of hostages, are vital for Gaza’s reconstruction, enhanced security, and expanded humanitarian aid efforts.
He said his visit aims to remove bureaucratic obstacles to support humanitarian operations in the coming period, Petra reported.
