UNICEF Says Gaza Ceasefire Fails as One Child Per Day Is Still Killed
The United Nations children’s agency UNICEF says that despite a declared ceasefire in Gaza Strip, Israeli strikes have continued to kill Palestinian children at an alarming rate, averaging about one child per day for more than eight months.
UNICEF said at least 265 children have been killed since October 2025, when the ceasefire was announced, and more than 400 others have been injured. Many of the wounded are left with severe, life-altering injuries.
Speaking in Geneva, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder described the situation as evidence that the truce is failing to protect civilians. He called the ceasefire a “cruel and deadly illusion,” saying children continue to die in homes, schools, and public spaces, including while playing or sheltering in tents.
Elder cited recent cases including a two-year-old shot dead, a 13-year-old killed inside a tent, and a five-year-old child killed alongside a parent in an airstrike. He said such incidents show that the violence has not meaningfully stopped.
UNICEF warned that “no ceasefire can be considered meaningful while children continue to be killed,” urging stronger protection for civilians as the conflict continues.
