At least 300 children have been killed in Gaza over the approximately 300 days since a ceasefire was announced on October 10, 2025, according to the United Nations children’s agency, UNICEF. This marks an average of one child per day in the besieged enclave.

UNICEF’s statement on Thursday highlighted that hundreds more children have sustained severe injuries since the ceasefire began. The agency urged parties involved in a proposed US-led peace plan to take tangible actions to end the violence.

The agency stated that a ceasefire resulting in the daily death of a child is failing children, with many still awaiting the promised end to hostilities. Families in Gaza are reportedly confined to a fraction of the territory, seeking shelter amidst widespread destruction and waste.

Children in Gaza continue to face critical issues including acute malnutrition, disease outbreaks, unsafe drinking water, and damaged sanitation systems. The shortage of essential medical equipment, such as incubators, has led to premature newborns having to share machines.

Since October 2023, health authorities in Gaza have reported that Israel's military operations have resulted in the deaths of over 73,300 Palestinians. UNICEF estimates that more than 58,000 children have lost one or both parents, and over a million children require protection and psychosocial support.

Previously, UNICEF estimated that approximately 17,000 children were unaccompanied or separated from their families, representing one of the most significant child protection crises globally. Many families are enduring repeated displacement, loss of income, and restricted access to healthcare, education, and protection services.

Recent reports detail specific incidents, such as the recovery of an unborn baby’s remains from rubble in western Gaza City on August 2, following an attack that killed a pregnant woman, her husband, and their young son. Aid workers describe a generation deprived of its childhood due to the ongoing conflict.

With a third summer of conflict underway, children are reportedly spending their days engaged in tasks like fetching water, queuing for food, and gathering firewood, rather than participating in typical childhood activities. UNICEF and other aid organizations note the scarcity of resources like summer camps, art supplies, and even basic educational materials in displacement camps.