AN AVERAGE of one child has been killed by the Israelis every day in Gaza since the so-called ceasefire came into force last October, a United Nations organisation said on Thursday.

The UN Children’s Fund tallied the deaths of at least 300 children as Palestinian civilians in Gaza continue to face intense military strikes, shelling, gunfire and naval fire from Israel, among other threats to their safety.

Also, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said: “As children continue to live under difficult conditions, including overcrowded shelters and limited access to safe water and health services, the UN and humanitarian partners are doing what they can to scale up assistance.”

Last week, humanitarian groups supporting child protection services distributed more than 800 hygiene kits, along with water containers and detergent, to 50 displaced families, including children and caregivers. They also provided 300 child identification cards and 500 notebooks for children, said OCHA.

Last month, humanitarian partners provided more than 500 children with disabilities with cash assistance, assistive devices, walkers, nappies, medical mattresses and rehabilitation services, said OCHA.

Also, as part of efforts to address gender-based violence, partners reported the opening last week of a new safe space in North Gaza governorate. 

The facility offers women and girls a confidential space to seek support and share experiences, said OCHA.

The UN body reports that “across Gaza, some 8,400 women and girls take part in activities at 85 safe spaces every week. 

“Humanitarian organisations stress that to open more safe spaces and reach more people, they need additional funding and safe access to all areas.”

In the occupied West Bank, a group of Israeli settlers reportedly set fire to homes in the Palestinian community of Tuba in the Masafer Yatta area of Hebron on Wednesday night. 

Three families, including 14 children, were displaced and sought safety with relatives and neighbours. 

Several people were injured, including two children, and a solar power system and 10 tonnes of animal fodder were destroyed, along with other property, according to OCHA.

In the first seven months of the year, OCHA reported more than 1,380 incidents involving Israeli settlers that resulted in casualties, property damage or both, averaging about 6.6 per day across 250 Palestinian communities. 

During the same period, more than 2,300 Palestinians were displaced from their homes due to settler attacks and related access restrictions.