UN: Ongoing Civilian Casualties Medical Evacuation Crisis and Rising Hunger in Gaza

An average of two Palestinian children and teenagers have been killed every day since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect, according to data from the Gaza Health Ministry and a UNICEF report published Friday.

According to the figures, 318 Palestinians have been killed in IDF attacks during this period, including at least 67 minors, and another 788 people have been injured. Most of these incidents occurred along the so-called “Yellow Line,” which separates the eastern Strip—now under IDF control—from the western areas where Hamas has re-established authority.

UNICEF reports that 4,000 children and teenagers urgently require medical evacuation outside Gaza for life-saving treatment.

IDF Strikes Continue; Dozens Reported Killed

The IDF confirmed that it attacked several Hamas targets on Saturday. Citing medical officials in Gaza, the Associated Press reported that at least 24 people were killed and 54 wounded.

On Wednesday, the IDF launched strikes in response to fire at soldiers in Khan Yunis, killing 28 Palestinians, including 17 women and children, according to local health authorities.

During the ceasefire, Palestinians have recovered 572 bodies from the rubble. The official death toll reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry now stands at 69,733 since the beginning of the war.

A Six-Year-Old Shooting Victim Awaits Evacuation

Among the thousands waiting for evacuation is Sundos Hillis, a six-year-old girl shot in the head two weeks ago while attending a wedding in Gaza City’s Al-Darj neighborhood.

Her sister told Haaretz that Sundos had been playing with other children when gunfire erupted. She was struck by a bullet, suffering paralysis on her left side and severe vision loss in both eyes. Despite repeated appeals, the family has been unable to secure permission to leave Gaza for urgent treatment. Two other women were also injured in the same incident.

Vaccination Campaign Reaches Nearly 14,000 Children

UNICEF and UNRWA this week completed the first phase of a children’s vaccination campaign aimed at covering routine immunisations that were missed during the war.

13,700 children were vaccinated, and half of them were screened for malnutrition.
The tests revealed 500 cases of acute malnutrition—about 7.3% of those examined.

This figure is an improvement from August, when malnutrition rates in Gaza City reached 15%, but UN officials warn that the crisis is far from over.

Widespread Food Shortages

The UN says that many families in Gaza remain in conditions of “extreme food shortages,” even as food availability in markets has improved since the ceasefire.

“There is food in the markets, but the prices are out of reach for most,” said World Food Program spokesperson Martin Fenner. “A chicken costs $25. Many families are still entirely dependent on food aid.”

Parents described coping strategies that reflect deep deprivation:

• A mother who tells her children to cover their eyes as they pass market stalls

• Another who buys one apple and divides it among her four children

Humanitarian Donations Plunge After Ceasefire

Relief organisations report a steep decline in donations since the ceasefire began:

• Gaza Soup Kitchen: donations down by about 50%

• Save the Children: donations down by one-third

Individuals raising funds independently for families in Gaza also report severe drops.

“The decline is catastrophic,” said Megan Hall, an Australian volunteer interviewed by The Guardian. “It feels like the moment the world hears the word ‘ceasefire,’ people assume Palestinians no longer need help.”