Fears of a complete collapse of basic services in Gaza

The spokesperson for UNICEF in Palestine, Kazem Abu Khalaf, stressed that the continuation and expansion of the Israeli war will lead to the collapse of the already fragile basic services in the Gaza Strip. He pointed out that this escalation poses serious obstacles to humanitarian teams, preventing them from reaching hundreds of thousands of children and families living in dire conditions.

In a statement, Abu Khalaf explained that the needs of children in Gaza have gone beyond simply receiving temporary aid. They now include the necessity of ensuring physical protection, guaranteeing the sustainability of vital services, and providing safe and unconditional access for the flow of aid.

He stated that a permanent cessation of hostilities is the essential foundation that will enable children to recover from its effects and rebuild their future. He added that UNICEF is working diligently to expand its operations in the nutrition, health, water and sanitation, education, and child protection sectors. The UN official pointed out that UNICEF attaches paramount importance to psychosocial support programs, given that almost all children in the sector have been exposed to psychological trauma and harsh experiences that exceed the capacity of childhood to endure.