The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced on Tuesday that 2,360 children had been killed in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian enclave that has been bombarded relentlessly by the Israeli army since October 7 in retaliation for an attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas. in southern sectors of Israeli territory.

The UN children’s agency added that another 5,364 children were injured, citing its information, without naming sources.

UNICEF spoke of “relentless attacks” of the Israeli army.

After Hamas’s surprise, unprecedented attack on Israelwhich has claimed more than 1,400 lives, according to the most recent figure released by Israeli authorities, has seen relentless aerial and artillery bombardment in retaliation, as the Israeli military prepares to launch a ground invasion of the besieged enclave.

“The situation in the Gaza Strip is a growing stain on our collective consciousness. The rate of death and injury is simply unbelievable.” said Adele Hodre, head of UNICEF’s directorate responsible for the Middle East and North Africa region.

The increasingly acute shortage of drinking water, food, fuel and other basic necessities in the Palestinian enclave has very serious consequences for children, who make up about 50% of the population (2.3 million), the agency said.

UNICEF called on the parties to declare a ceasefire so that humanitarian aid can be delivered unhindered. He also called for the release of hostages held by Hamas and other armed groups, dozens of whom are children.