UNICEF warns over 100 children killed since October ceasefire in Gaza

A ceasefire was meant to signal relief for Gaza’s youngest civilians, but the reality on the ground tells a far darker story.

Ongoing Deaths Despite Ceasefire
More than 100 children have been killed in Gaza since a ceasefire took effect in early October, according to the United Nations children’s agency. The revelation was made on Jan 13 by UNICEF spokesman James Elder during a United Nations media briefing conducted via video link from Gaza.

Violence Has Slowed But Not Stopped
While large-scale fighting has decreased since Israel and Hamas agreed to the ceasefire, hostilities have not fully ceased. Mr Elder stressed that survival in Gaza remains uncertain, noting that bombings and shootings have reduced but continue to occur, putting civilians, especially children, at persistent risk.

Nature of the Fatal Attacks
UNICEF reported that nearly all recorded child deaths resulted from military actions. These included air strikes, drone attacks, tank shelling, gunfire, and quadcopter strikes. A small number of children were also killed by unexploded remnants of war that detonated unexpectedly.

Breakdown Of Child Casualties
Among the reported deaths were approximately 60 boys and 40 girls. The victims were children caught in ongoing hostilities despite the supposed protection offered by the ceasefire, highlighting the fragile nature of the agreement on the ground.

Likely Underreported Figures
Mr Elder cautioned that the reported figure is likely an underestimate. UNICEF’s tally only includes cases where sufficient verification was possible, suggesting that the true number of child casualties could be significantly higher.

Ceasefire Violations And Blame
Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breaching the ceasefire agreement. These mutual accusations underscore the instability of the truce and explain why civilian deaths, including those of children, continue to be reported months after the deal was reached.

The continued deaths of children in Gaza expose the limits of ceasefires that fail to guarantee civilian safety. For Indonesians and Singaporeans watching the conflict unfold, the situation underscores the urgent need for stronger international accountability, humanitarian access, and lasting political solutions that protect innocent lives rather than merely reducing headlines.

Sources: Straits Times (2026) , Vatican News (2026)

Keywords: Gaza Children Deaths, UNICEF Gaza, Israel Hamas Ceasefire, Civilian Casualties, War Impact Children