1 child killed every 15 minutes in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza: Save the Children

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Save the Children demanded Tuesday an "immediate ceasefire," amid a dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and warned that casualties will soar as water runs out.

"More than 1,000 children have reportedly been killed in 11 days of airstrikes on Gaza – one child every 15 minutes – with children making up a third of total fatalities in Gaza," the UK-based charity said in the statement.

Regarding the "already dire humanitarian situation" in Gaza which is under "total siege," it noted a warning Monday by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinians in the Near East about clean water.

"People – particularly young children - will soon start dying of dehydration," said UNRWA.

"Water is running out and time is running out for the children of Gaza,” said Jason Lee, director of the Save the Children's Palestine office. “Without an end to fighting – without a ceasefire – thousands of children’s lives hang in the balance."

About reports that said the Israeli government resumed water supplies Sunday to southern Gaza, the NGO, however, said power-dependent water pumps have not been working for four days with no electricity in the Gaza Strip.

"This morning, the UN warned that all hospitals in Gaza are believed to have only about 48 hours of fuel left to operate backup generators, putting thousands of patients, including children, at immediate risk," it added.

Israel's bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip continued 11 days into the conflict with the Hamas group, with more than 1 million people displaced -- almost half of Gaza's population, according to UNRWA.

The fighting began Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

More than 4,400 people have been killed in the armed conflict, including at least 3,001 Palestinians and more than 1,400 Israelis.