Number of children killed in Gaza surpasses annual number of children killed in world's conflict zones

The number of children killed in Gaza since 7 October has now surpassed the annual number of children killed across the world's conflict zones since 2019, according to the charity Save the Children.

At least 3,195 children have been reported killed in Gaza from Israeli air strikes, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. That's more than the number of children killed in armed conflicts across more than 20 countries around the world over the course of a whole year, for the previous three years.

"Three weeks of violence have ripped children from families and torn through their lives at an unimaginable rate. The numbers are harrowing and with violence not only continuing but expanding in Gaza right now, many more children remain at grave risk," Jason Lee, Save the Children's director in the occupied Palestinian territories, said in a statement.

"One child’s death is one too many, but these are grave violations of epic proportions. A ceasefire is the only way to ensure their safety. The international community must put people before politics—every day spent debating is leaving children killed and injured. Children must be protected at all times, especially when they are seeking safety in schools and hospitals."