Conflict between Israel and Palestine 'has to stop NOW': UNICEF

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) – The United Nations Children’s Fund or UNICEF on Friday strongly urged an end to the intensifying conflict between in Israel and Palestine, in particular decrying the suffering of the children in Gaza.

"Children are being killed. Children are suffering," UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said on X.

She urged: "It has to STOP. NOW."

The post came after the Israeli army announced that its ground forces would expand their activities in the Gaza Strip during the night, a signal that a long-feared ground operation may have begun.

Communications and internet services in the Gaza Strip were completely cut off on Friday evening amid heavy Israeli bombing of feeder lines, towers, and networks, the Palestine Telecommunications Company said.

Ooredoo Palestine, a mobile network operator in the West Bank, also said its cellphone services were completely cut off from the Gaza Strip.

The conflict in Gaza began on Oct. 7 when the Palestinian group 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.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been running out of food, water, medicine, and fuel, and aid convoys recently allowed into Gaza have carried only a fraction of what is needed.

Nearly 8,800 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,326 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis. Some 70% of the deaths in Gaza are women and children, according to official figures.