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NEW YORK, 10 July 2014 – The escalating violence in Gaza and Israel threatens devastating harm for children on all sides, UNICEF said today, urging restraint to protect all children.
Already over the last three days, at least 19 Palestinian children have been reported killed in airstrikes on Gaza and many more injured. The coastal enclave is under closure, making it difficult for civilians to flee. In Israel, rocket attacks from Gaza threaten the lives of Israeli children as well.
Both airstrikes and rocket attacks are putting children at risk, leaving them exposed to physical harm and mental distress; many already experienced violence and destruction during previous escalations.
UNICEF reiterates the UN Secretary-General's call on parties to exercise maximum restraint, and reminds them of their legal and moral obligation to protect children from harm.
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For further information, please contact:
Catherine Weibel, UNICEF Jerusalem, Tel: +972 54 778 7604, cweibel@unicef.org Juliette Touma, UNICEF Regional Office in Amman, Tel: +962 79 867 4628, jtouma@unicef.org Najwa Mekki, UNICEF New York, Tel: +1 212 326 7448, Mobile: +1917 209 1804, nmekki@unicef.org