Official Palestinian data announced today, Sunday, that more than 21,000 children have been martyred, including around 19,000 students, during two years of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. More than 44,000 children have also been injured, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced, reflecting the magnitude of the humanitarian catastrophe in the area.
This information was released in statements from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education on the occasion of Palestinian Child Day, which falls today, April 5. The data confirmed that the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza has systematically targeted the future of an entire generation, with the total number of Palestinian martyrs reaching 72,289, including 21,283 children, representing about 30% of the total casualties.
Details of the Incident
According to the data, 450 infants and 1,029 children who had not yet completed their first year have been martyred, in addition to 5,031 children under the age of five, reflecting a true genocide against a generation that has not yet begun its life. In October 2023, Israel, with U.S. support, began a genocidal war that lasted two years, resulting in massive destruction affecting 90% of Gaza's civilian infrastructure, with reconstruction costs estimated by the United Nations at around $70 billion.
Despite the ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since October 10, Israel has killed 716 Palestinians and injured 1,968 so far, according to the Ministry of Health in the sector. The data also showed that the methods of killing were not limited to missiles; the combination of siege, hunger, and cold has taken the lives of children, with 157 children dying from hunger and 25 others due to frostbite in the displaced persons' tents.
Background & Context
The commemoration of Palestinian Child Day dates back to April 5, 1995, when the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat announced his commitment to the International Convention on the Rights of the Child at the first Palestinian Child Conference. This day was declared to be a day for Palestinian children at a time when the rights of Palestinian children were facing severe violations.
The data indicates that children are suffering from a dual health catastrophe, with the number of injured Palestinians reaching 172,040, including 44,486 children, which is equivalent to 26% of the total injured. Additionally, 10,500 children suffer from injuries that have changed the course of their lives, and more than 1,000 cases of amputations, amid a complete collapse of the health system in Gaza.
Impact & Consequences
The data shows that 58,000 children in the Gaza Strip have lost one or both parents due to the Israeli aggression. In February 2026, more than 3,700 children were admitted to hospitals for treatment due to malnutrition, including over 600 suffering from acute malnutrition.
Moreover, over 90% of children are unable to access the minimum level of dietary diversity, while more than 60% of children are suffering from severe food poverty that threatens their basic growth. The Israeli aggression has destroyed 179 public schools, depriving 700,000 students of their fundamental right to education for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Regional Significance
The repercussions of this war extend beyond Gaza, raising concerns throughout the Arab world. The deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza reflects a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent action from the international community. The continued Israeli assaults affect stability in the region and exacerbate tensions.
At the conclusion of this day celebrating childhood, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education expresses its deep concern regarding the current situation and calls on the international community and human rights organizations to provide immediate international protection for children in Gaza and ensure their right to education and life.