UNICEF calls for immediate humanitarian pause in Gaza
UNICEF on Friday urged Israel to rescind its call for a mass evacuation of northern Gaza, saying there needs to be an immediate humanitarian pause to "scale and sustain lifesaving services for children."
"The situation is catastrophic, with unrelenting bombing and a massive increase in the displacement of children and families. There are no safe places," UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement. "An immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access are the top priorities to allow much needed aid to children and families in Gaza."
![PHOTO: A Palestinian child watches as smoke billows on the horizon after an Israeli air strike in Gaza City on Oct. 13, 2023.](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/5716fe31-8fa5-4662-9045-f10b26528f56/gaza-window-gty-ps-231013_1697220435910_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg)
"There are rules of war," the statement continued. "Children in Gaza need lifesaving support and every minute counts.”
UNICEF said the situation is becoming "increasingly difficult and dangerous" and humanitarians have been warned to leave Gaza City, but that it will stay to provide support for children in need.
-ABC News' Ben Gittleson