One million minors in danger from Israeli attacks on Gaza

Ramala, Mar 19^th. - A million minors in Gaza are now in danger of the resumption of bombings and the Israeli blockade at the entry of humanitarian aid, the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) denounced.

The information and images coming to us from that territory after Israeli incursions are absolutely frightening, Unicef's executive director Catherine Russell said in a statement released here.

The official recalled that the population of that enclave already endured more than 15 months of war, before the start of the truce on January 19, which ended yesterday after the restart of the war campaign.

Hundreds of people were killed, including more than 130 children, the highest number of child deaths in a single day in the past year, he said.

Some of the attacks hit makeshift shelters where minors and family members were sleeping, another lethal reminder that there is no safe place in Gaza, he said.

Russell stressed that the incursions were carried out as the blockade of the entry of vital humanitarian aid continues, further exacerbating the danger facing childhood.

As if this were not enough, Israel also cut off the electricity supply to the main desalination plant in the Gaza Strip, significantly reducing the amount of drinking water available, he said.

Faced with this situation, he called on all parties to immediately restore the ceasefire - and urged countries with influence to use their power to ensure that the situation does not continue to deteriorate.

International humanitarian law must be respected to allow the provision of urgent humanitarian aid, the protection of civilians and the release of all hostages, he concluded. (Text and photo: PL)