Over 21,500 children killed in Gaza in 1,000 days of war

The Palestinian government media office in Gaza has reported that over 21,500 children have been killed in the enclave since the start of the Israeli offensive, marking 1,000 days of war. The death toll includes more than 520 infants born during the war and 1,022 children under the age of one, according to a statement released on Thursday, July 2. The office highlighted that children in Gaza continue to face death, injury, hunger, displacement, and the collapse of essential services, including healthcare, education, and child protection, amid the prolonged Israeli offensive.

On June 19, 2026, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said the ceasefire announced in October 2025 had become a “cruel and deadly illusion” for Gaza’s children, citing continued killings, injuries, and severe restrictions on the delivery of food and medical supplies. According to UNICEF, at least 265 Palestinian children have been killed and more than 400 injured since the ceasefire took effect, with many suffering life-changing wounds. The agency warned that the continued killing and injury of children during the truce risk becoming normalized.

Figures released by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics indicate that children accounted for around 30 percent of those killed and 26 percent of the wounded by the end of 2025. The bureau said more than 10,500 children have suffered serious injuries, while over 1,000 have undergone amputations. It added that nearly 4,000 children remain at immediate risk of death unless they are evacuated from Gaza to receive specialized medical treatment.

Malnutrition has also taken a devastating toll. According to Gaza health authorities, 157 children have died from hunger and malnutrition since the start of the war, while another 25 died from hypothermia in displacement camps. Citing data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Palestinian statistics bureau said more than 3,700 children aged between six and 59 months were admitted to malnutrition treatment programs in February 2026, including more than 600 cases of severe acute malnutrition requiring urgent medical intervention.

According to Mehr News, the report underscores the severe humanitarian crisis facing children in Gaza, with international agencies calling for immediate action to protect civilians and ensure access to essential aid.