DaysofPal-The Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Catherine Russell, has expressed deep shock over the killing of seven Palestinian children in an airstrike that targeted a water distribution point in central Gaza, while the children were waiting to collect water.
According to UN reports, the incident occurred on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Also, it resulted in the deaths of four other individuals, making it one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in recent weeks.
In an official statement, Russell described the attack as “a painful reminder that there is no safe place for children in Gaza.” He called on the Israeli government to urgently review its rules of engagement to ensure the protection of civilians under international humanitarian law.
She added that the tragedy came just days after a similar incident in which children and women were killed while waiting for food aid.
Russell highlighted that the attack underscores the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, particularly amid a sharp rise in cases of acute child malnutrition. More than 5,800 children were diagnosed in June alone, over 1,000 of whom are in urgent need of therapeutic care.
Gaza residents are also facing a severe water crisis after the main desalination plant went offline, forcing families to rely on unsecured water distribution points, often in areas vulnerable to attacks.
The UNICEF chief urged the Israeli occupation and the international community to launch a comprehensive and independent investigation into the attack, immediately revise rules of engagement that have led to civilian deaths, and fully comply with international humanitarian law, especially regarding the protection of children in conflict zones.
UN data indicates that nearly 800 people, most of them women and children, have been killed since the end of May while trying to access food aid in Gaza, amid worsening security conditions that have severely hampered the delivery of humanitarian supplies.
In concluding her statement, Russell warned that continued violations without accountability “will lead to catastrophic consequences for children in Gaza,” calling for “immediate and effective action by all relevant parties.”
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=65806
