Jonathan Crickx, UNICEF's top spokesman in the state of Palestine, revealed during a UN briefing in Geneva that their estimates indicate approximately 17,000 children in Gaza are facing the distressing situation of being unaccompanied or separated from their families.

"These children have nothing to do with this conflict yet they are suffering," emphasized Crickx, highlighting the impact of the conflict on innocent children. He further pointed out that, after almost four months of relentless attacks, every child in the enclave is believed to require mental health support.

Before the conflict began on October 7, 500,000 children were already identified as needing mental health assistance. However, due to the prolonged conflict, the number has now risen to over 1 million children, all of whom are in need of mental health support, according to Crickx.

The İsraeli offensive, initiated in October, has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The conflict has claimed the lives of at least 27,019 Palestinians, injured 66,139, and led to the internal displacement of 85% of Gaza's population.

The region is grappling with acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of Gaza's infrastructure has suffered damage or destruction, as reported by the UN. The dire circumstances highlight the urgent need for international attention and intervention to address the humanitarian crisis affecting the children and civilians in Gaza. (ILKHA)