UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on plight of children in Gaza
Authorities in Gaza say 12 people, including eight children, were killed by an Israeli airstrike on a water distribution point on Sunday. The enclave is under heavy attack on a daily basis.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell told the Security Council on Wednesday, "An average of 28 children have been killed each day -- the equivalent of an entire classroom."
She asked the members to consider, "A whole classroom of children killed every day for nearly two years."
Participants in the meeting noted that lack of water, food, fuel and other supplies have been adding to the tragedy, and urged Israel not to hamper humanitarian aid.
Denmark's Permanent Representative to the UN Christina Lassen said, "Humanitarian aid must never be politicized," and doing so "sets this dangerous precedent for the future of humanitarian work in war zones around the world."
Israel's representative countered that on July 13, tons of baby formula supplies entered Gaza through a crossing facilitated by Israel.
The representative accused the council of unfairly turning a blind eye to Hamas, accusing the Islamic group of actions including using children "as human shields," and "indoctrinating them with hate."
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