Priyanka Chopra Jonas recently used her Instagram Stories on Monday to amplify a crucial message, urging for a ceasefire in Palestine amid the distressing and destructive impact of Israeli bombardment. The post shared by Priyanka originated from UNICEF, the United Nations agency devoted to providing humanitarian aid to children worldwide.

The reshared post featured a quote attributed to Catherine Russell, the executive director of UNICEF, which emphatically stated, "Children need a lasting humanitarian ceasefire." The accompanying caption, posted originally by UNICEF on December 2, shed light on the harrowing situation in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the urgent need for a lasting ceasefire to protect the lives of innocent children.

Highlighting the alarming toll of violence, the caption stated, "Today, the Gaza Strip is once again the most dangerous place in the world to be a child. After seven days of respite from horrific violence, fighting has resumed. More children will surely die as a result. Before the pause, more than 5,300 Palestinian children were reportedly killed in 48 days of relentless bombing – a figure that does not include many children still missing and presumed to be buried under rubble."

It continued, "Should violence return to this scale and intensity, we can assume that hundreds more children will be killed and injured every day. And if we are not able to get water, food, medical supplies, blankets, and warm clothes to those in need, we will face a humanitarian catastrophe. It does not have to be this way – for seven days, there was a glimmer of hope for children amidst this horrific nightmare."

The plea went on to call on all parties involved to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection and assistance of children. "More than 30 children held hostage in Gaza were safely released and reunited with their families," it continued to read. "And the humanitarian pause enabled an increase in the delivery of lifesaving supplies into and across Gaza. UNICEF and our partners were able to significantly scale up operations and programmes. And we were able to begin connecting separated children with their families."

Furthering on, the statement highlighted, "This was not nearly enough to meet the scale of the humanitarian needs, but it was a start. Now, we need increased safe and predictable access to reach those children who have been injured, displaced and traumatised. And we need to get supplies to children who are vulnerable to the cold, wet weather that has arrived. Children need a lasting humanitarian ceasefire."–Agencies

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 12 2023

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