NEW YORK, January 24, 2025 (WAFA) – The United Nations Security Council convened last night under Algeria’s rotating presidency to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East, with a special focus on the plight of children in Gaza, now 15 months into the Israeli offensive.
In his briefing, UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, highlighted the dire conditions faced by children in Gaza.
He outlined the extensive suffering, with many children having lost their lives, been separated from their families, or endured severe injury and trauma. An estimated 17,000 children have been separated from their families, and some infants died alongside their mothers during childbirth.
Fletcher also emphasized the devastating educational impact, as many children have lost access to schooling. He reported that a million children in Gaza are in need of mental health support, suffering from depression and anxiety. The conflict, he said, has caused lasting psychological damage to an entire generation.
Despite these grave challenges, Fletcher noted that the UN and its partners have seized every opportunity presented by ceasefire periods to scale up humanitarian response efforts. Improved access to Gaza has allowed relief agencies to deliver more supplies and provide life-saving services to those in need.
However, he stressed that such efforts cannot succeed without a coordinated, international response, and that more support, including from private sector actors, is essential to meet the ongoing humanitarian needs.
The situation in the West Bank was also addressed, with Fletcher reporting on unprecedented levels of casualties, displacement, and restrictions on humanitarian access since October 2023. He drew attention to Israeli settler violence in Palestinian villages and the increasing movement restrictions that hinder access to essential services.
Fletcher's presentation included three key requests to the Security Council: to ensure the continuation of the ceasefire, to uphold international law in both Gaza and the West Bank, and to ensure sufficient funding for humanitarian operations. He highlighted the 2025 humanitarian appeal, which seeks $4.07 billion to assist 3 million people in Gaza and the West Bank.
France’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière, cited UNICEF data, revealing that over 14,500 children have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, surpassing child casualties from wars worldwide over the past four years.
He called for a ceasefire agreement to end the unacceptable suffering of Palestinian children, underscoring France’s ongoing humanitarian efforts, including medical evacuations from Gaza.
U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, also addressed the council, criticizing the delay in securing the ceasefire and hostage release agreement.
She pointed out the immense suffering of Palestinian civilians, particularly children, who have lost family members, education, and their homes due to the conflict.
Shea urged for increased funding and resources to ensure the rapid delivery of vital aid to Gaza in line with the ceasefire terms.
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