The recent deadly Israeli airstrike on Beit Lahiya highlights the brutal reality that children and families in Gaza face every day, according to an official with the UN children’s agency.
More than 90 people, including 25 children, were killed in the attack on a multi-story building on Tuesday, according to Palestinian authorities.
Joe English, an emergency communications specialist at UNICEF, said medics and colleagues in northern Gaza have described “near apocalyptic” conditions under Israel’s nearly month-long military siege.
“Every time we think it can’t get any worse, and every day it gets worse for children and families,” English told CNN’s Anna Coren, adding that people in northern Gaza are in urgent need of access to life-saving aid.
Israel’s ban on the UN relief agency for the Palestinians (UNRWA) from operating in the country will only make the situation worse, English said.
“There is no other organization on the ground that can help children and families in need, staff hospitals and health centers, staff schools,” he said. “Life in Gaza is hard enough, but it will become almost impossible if UNRWA’s work is prevented.”