CHILDREN ARE PAYING THE HEAVIEST PRICE OF THIS WAR.

A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Gaza, with unimaginable and unnecessary suffering. Children are being killed at a devastating rate, whole families are being wiped out. 30,000 people have already been killled, of which nearly half are children. Almost every child who has managed to survive the past four months of war is now in the line of fire in Rafah. The majority of the displaced population - more than 1.3 million people (including over 610,000 children) are trapped in an area of just 62 sq km. They have nowhere safe to go. For the children who survive the bombs and ground operations, many will die from famine, dehydration and disease if humanitarian aid continues to be weaponised. Many will also suffer from serious longer-term mental health impacts. Nearly all 1.1 million children in Gaza are at imminent risk of famine. Families are struggling to find enough food and water, with children already dying because of malnutrition and disease. The situation has never been more desperate. While we welcome the release of some Israeli children held hostage in Gaza, all remaining hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. Similarly, more must be done to protect Palestinian children held in Israeli military detention. If we don't act now, history will judge us all. We need a definitive ceasefire now. Save the Children stands side by side with children in the world's toughest places. Your donations make this support possible.