The Ministry of Health in Gaza has revealed that more than 16,500 children have been killed since the start of the Israeli military campaign on October 7, 2023. The announcement, releasd last week, highlights what officials described as a “relentless genocide” targeting civilians, including the most vulnerable members of society.
According to the ministry’s statement, 16,503 children have died as a result of Israeli airstrikes, many of which hit residential areas and displaced persons’ camps. The breakdown by age shows the extent of the losses: 916 infants under one year, 4,365 children aged 1–5, 6,101 aged 6–12, and 5,124 teenagers between 13–17.
“These are not just numbers; they represent a humanitarian catastrophe and a grave violation of international law,” the ministry said, urging global institutions and rights organizations to intervene and hold those responsible accountable.
In the past 24 hours alone, 98 civilians, including women and children, were reportedly killed in airstrikes across Gaza. Civil defense teams continue recovery operations under dire conditions, hindered by limited resources and ongoing bombardments.
Since the conflict began, over 53,000 civilians have been killed and more than 122,000 wounded, the ministry said. Many bodies remain trapped under rubble or in streets too dangerous to access due to continued airstrikes.
Gaza’s health and emergency services are on the brink of collapse amid severe shortages of fuel and medical supplies, with no safe humanitarian corridors available for the injured or displaced.
