UNICEF has issued a warning regarding the vulnerable situation of children in Rafah, Gaza, where more than 600,000 children could face further catastrophe. The recent evacuation warnings issued by Israel for people in eastern Rafah have raised concerns about the safety and well-being of the children in the region.
According to UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, Rafah is now predominantly a city of children who lack safe places to seek refuge within Gaza. The potential escalation of large-scale military operations not only poses a direct threat to children's lives due to violence but also increases the risks of chaos and panic, especially when their physical and mental conditions are already compromised.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have urged residents in eastern Rafah to evacuate immediately in preparation for what they described as a limited-scale operation in the area. This call for evacuation comes after Israel's defense minister Yoav Galant signaled the likelihood of intense action in the southern city in the near future.
Children constitute approximately half of Rafah's current population of 1.2 million, with many having experienced multiple displacements and currently residing in tents or unstable housing. UNICEF has highlighted the disproportionate impact on children, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health reporting that over 14,000 children have been killed since October 2023.
