Four children were killed as separate attacks in Gaza destroyed aid supplies

Key points

• UN agencies are concerned about deadly attacks on civilian areas
• Israeli attacks destroyed nutritional supplies worth more than $770,000 and damaged critical water infrastructure serving thousands of people, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported
• The World Health Organization (WHO) evacuated 106 patients and 132 companions from Gaza in the past week, but thousands more are waiting for medical evacuation.

According to UNICEFthe four children – aged two to 16 – were reportedly killed in separate attacks, including one child who died from injuries he suffered last week.

On Tuesday, five children – aged eight to 17 – were reportedly hit by live fire or shrapnel after the attack and suffered life-changing injuries.

Ocha raising concerns about the impact of ongoing airstrikes and other attacks on the Gaza Strip amid reports of civilian casualties and damage, despite a ceasefire in October 2025 ending the two-year Hamas-Israel war.

Aid supplies were destroyed

Recent attacks also destroyed humanitarian supplies and damaged critical water infrastructure, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday.

UN partner warehouses were heavily damaged in attacks last week. UNICEF said the incident destroyed nutritional supplies worth more than $770,000, intended to support more than 45,000 children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

Additionally, water wells and a UNICEF-supported desalination facility serving more than 4,000 people in Deir al Balah were badly damaged in a nearby attack on Monday. Partners now provide water from other sources by truck.

UN convoy

An munition exploded about 30 meters from a UN convoy returning with fuel from the Kerem Shalom crossing as it crossed the so-called “Yellow Line” in Rafah on Thursday, OCHA reported.

While fortunately there were no casualties, the explosion caused a minor mechanical problem involving one of the vehicles in the convoy, the agency said.

Civilians and civilian objects, including humanitarian facilities and infrastructure, must always be protected, OCHA said.

Addressing unexploded ordnance

The UN and its partners are working across Gaza to address the risks posed by explosive weapons.

They assess and flag hazards, educate the public about safety measures and refer those affected for help, OCHA said.

However, the necessary permits to bring in equipment and move explosive ordnance have still not been granted.

Medical evacuation

United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) supported the evacuation of 106 patients, including 19 children, along with 132 companions from the Gaza Strip via the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings over the past week, the head of the agency said on Friday.

WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that since October 2023, more than 13,000 patients and more than 16,000 companions have been evacuated.

However, thousands of people are still waiting for medical evacuation, he said, adding that to ensure timely treatment for patients, medical evacuation requires continuous access through multiple crossing routes.