World to come together to support Gaza children

Tehran (Qodsna)- UNICEF Communication Officer Salim Oweis in an exclusive interview with Qods News Agency explained various topics, including the fund's relief efforts in Gaza, UNICEF's role in supporting Gaza's children, Gaza ceasefire and numerous problems of war-torn children in Gaza.  

The interview comes as follows:

Qodsna: From a child rights perspective, what diplomatic and legal pressures is UNICEF exerting through the UN and other international bodies to ensure respect for the rights of children in Gaza?

UNICEF has never stopped to use all possible channels to advocate for the safety and well-being of children in Gaza and across the State of Palestine. These efforts include:

•          Frequently briefing Member States and UN bodies – including the Security Council and General Assembly – on the situation of children and the six grave violations.

•          Through the UN’s Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM), we document cases of grave violations against children to inform listings, resolutions, and concrete remedial measures.

•          We advocate for: sustainable ceasefire, immediate protection of children and civilian objects; sustained humanitarian access; release of any children deprived of liberty; and adherence to IHL/IHRL obligations by all parties.

•          We work closely with our UN sister agencies and other organizations to align diplomatic messaging with operational needs for children.

•          At the same time we continue to provide child protection and mental health support services as well as other specialized life-saving services through our teams and partners on the ground in Gaza and across the State of Palestine

Qodsna: Given the severe restrictions and existing risks, what immediate and long-term steps is UNICEF taking to ensure the safe and continuous entry of vital aid (water, food, medicine, shelter) for children in Gaza?

UNICEF maintains its principled, needs-based operations with multiple partners to move nutrition supplies, medical commodities, and other life-saving supplies to make the best of the ceasefire, and we continue to advocate for safe, unimpeded access for humanitarian aid and services through all available crossing points and across the Gaza Strip. We continue to provide clean water to families across Gaza through large-scale water trucking, maintaining operation of desalination plants, and repairs to damaged water networks, while advocating for the continuous operation and urgent repair of the Mekorot supply lines through our supported technical teams on the ground.

And to make sure our efforts are helping long term, we are expanding and scaling up providing services and to restore essential services (safe water systems, cold chain for vaccines, primary health and nutrition services and education) and rebuild child-focused infrastructure. This includes Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) that double as safe, integrated service-delivery points for child protection, nutrition, basic health and others. Rebuilding and equipping schools is a priority for the upcoming period – it’s something that children and mothers keep asking for.

Priority is to upcsacle the provision of life saving and other essential supplies while simultaneously looking for early recovery-based operation to have sustainable dependable services system in place . But to be able to do that we need the fragile ceasefire to hold and for the world to come together to support the children of Gaza.

Qodsna: What practical stance has UNICEF taken regarding the repeated violations of international humanitarian law and attacks on hospitals, schools and aid centers that target children? Are there any concrete measures underway to hold the Zionist regime accountable in this regard?

UNICEF does not determine legal responsibility or make judicial findings. What we can and must do is insist that grave violations against children—including killing, maiming, abduction, and attacks on schools and hospitals are ceased immediately—be thoroughly investigated, and that those responsible are held to account. Accountability is essential not only for justice but also for deterrence: children must never again be subjected to such horrors.

We consistently and publicly condemn attacks on children and on protected facilities such as hospitals, schools, shelters, and aid centers. These are prohibited under international law. We press for real measures to protect children. Through the UN’s Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM), we document cases of grave violations against children to inform listings, resolutions, and concrete remedial measures.

Qodsna: Given the high volume of martyrs, injuries and loss of families, what specific programs is UNICEF implementing to address the mental health crisis and psychosocial support needs of children who have survived in Gaza?

The war in Gaza has left nearly every child traumatized and in need of mental health and psychosocial support. After two years of violence, displacement and loss, children are trapped in a state of toxic stress, showing symptoms such as fear, anxiety, nightmares, and withdrawal.

UNICEF works with psychologists and local partners to help children cope with trauma through community-based and family-focused programmes. In 2025, over 170,000 children and 57,000 caregivers received support to manage stress, build coping skills and reconnect socially. Through initiatives like Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT), 80% of participating children showed improvement, and one in four no longer displayed signs of PTSD.

Even in the most difficult conditions, we continue helps children play, learn and feel safe again. We continue to call for unimpeded humanitarian access and for the psychological suffering of Gaza’s children to be recognized and addressed alongside their physical needs.