GENEVA - The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed its deepest concern today over the catastrophic impact on children of the ongoing hostilities in Gaza, ahead of the upcoming 80th United Nations General Assembly session, and urgently reiterated its calls for decisive action by all States, and in particular by Israel as a de facto occupying force.
The Committee highlighted that the famine has now taken hold in Gaza. Malnutrition among children is accelerating at a catastrophic pace. The Committee echoed the multiple UN agencies' warning that, without immediate and unhindered humanitarian access, the manmade famine will spread, and more children will die.
"The Committee is gravely concerned about the denial of basic necessities for survival. Children in Gaza are enduring unimaginable suffering due to acute malnutrition, starvation and conditions of famine," it said.
"Essential services have also collapsed: safe drinking water, sanitation, and adequate health care are non-existent. Civilian infrastructure has been essentially destroyed, leaving children deprived of the minimum conditions required for survival and development," the Committee added.
At the same time, children continue to be direct victims of ongoing military attacks. Over the weekend, the Israeli army intensified its bombardment of Gaza City, repeatedly striking residential towers and leaving them in ruins.
"Confirmed reports indicate horrific levels of killing, maiming, and widespread violence against children. Countless children have lost parents, siblings, and extended family members, leaving them in profound grief and with extreme psychological trauma that will affect their lives for years to come," the Committee said.
"Israel's ongoing actions constitute outright violations that strike at the very heart of the rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child," the Committee stressed.
The Committee urged Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza. It also demanded the release of all hostages by Palestinian armed groups.
"Israel must take immediate action to end its obstruction of humanitarian aid and must guarantee that unrestricted, sustained and secure assistance reaches the people of Gaza. It must take measures to protect children in Gaza from further harm, and respect and uphold their inherent rights and dignity in full compliance with the Convention," the Committee said.
