Israel Rejects Cease-Fire as UNICEF Reports Daily Child Casualties in Gaza
In the midst of escalating tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has labeled a video released by the Palestinian militant group Hamas as “cruel psychological propaganda.” The video features three hostages captured during the Hamas terror attacks on October 7 and shows them criticizing Netanyahu’s leadership. One captive woman accuses him of political and military negligence, while calling for the release of hostages. However, it remains unclear whether she spoke willingly or under duress.
This development comes on the heels of our previous report detailing the successful evacuation efforts in Israel by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). It’s a stark contrast to the current situation, highlighting the ever-changing landscape of conflict in the region.
Additionally, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that Israeli soldier Private Ori Megidish, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, has been safely reunited with her family.
The IDF is now expanding its ground incursion into Gaza as Israel enters the second phase of its conflict against Hamas. The Israeli government has pledged to continue “large scale, significant strikes” in pursuit of Hamas militants responsible for the October 7 attacks.
The death toll from Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip continues to rise, with the Palestinian health ministry in the West Bank reporting over 8,000 casualties, based on data from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. The IDF has also updated the number of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza to 239.
Mounting Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
During an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, UNICEF officials reported that “more than 420 children are being killed or injured in Gaza every day.” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini told the council that nearly 70% of reported casualties in Gaza are children and women. He also highlighted that nearly 3,200 children were killed in Gaza in just three weeks, surpassing the number of children killed annually across the world’s conflict zones since 2019.
