In a distressing revelation, the United Nations has reported that Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip from March 18 to 25 have resulted in the deaths of 830 individuals, including 174 women and 322 children, alongside 1,787 injuries. Maryse Guimon, the Special Representative of UN Women in Palestine, shared these figures during a press conference in Geneva, connecting from Amman.

Guimon expressed grave concern over the escalating violence, emphasising the severe consequences for women and girls as fragile ceasefires repeatedly falter. The statistics indicate a staggering average of 21 women and over 40 children killed each day during this eight-day period. She condemned the situation, stating, “This is not collateral damage; this is a war where women and children suffer the most.”

Highlighting that nearly 60% of the casualties are women and children, Guimon underscored the indiscriminate nature of the violence impacting the most vulnerable. She characterised the ongoing conflict as a “horrific testimony” to the disproportionate toll on these populations. With the conflict intensifying, the urgent need for global attention and intervention has never been clearer, as the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen in Gaza.