LOC16:26
13:26 GMT
GENEVA, Aug 5 (KUNA) - - The UN organisation for Children (UNICEF) said on Tuesday that the number of children killed during the Israeli military operation between 2 August 23:30 and 4 August 23:30 is 408.
The UN children agency went on to say that this figure has now surpassed the number of children killed during "Cast Lead," the 2008-2009 military operation when 350 children were killed.
The child casualties include 251 boys and 157 girls, aged between 1 month and 17 years old. Of the 408 children, at least 287 child casualties, or 70 per cent, are 12 years old or younger. Of the 157 girls, 116 casualties, or 73 per cent, are 12 years old or younger.
Children make up for 31 percent of the civilian casualties, said UNICEF Communication Specialist Christopher Tidey in a press statement.
Nearly 400,000 children (373,000) are in need of specialized psychosocial assistance, he added.
During the last 48 hours (at least 12 Palestinian children were killed throughout Gaza (age less than 18 years old). The number of child casualties during the last 48 hours may rise as a number of incidents are pending verification.
Between 8 July and 2 August, at least 142 schools in Gaza, including 89 UNRWA schools, 50 public schools and three private/kindergarten schools, were damaged due to Israel airstrikes or shelling nearby, said the UNICEF. (end)
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