The following Statement by Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict was published on the Special Representative’s website, 19 March 2025.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, deplores the end of the ceasefire in Gaza and the Israeli military escalation and calls on the parties to urgently re-establish a ceasefire and negotiations.

Since the horrific Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror attacks against Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023, which included the killing, maiming, and abduction of children, the subsequent massive military escalation by Israel against Hamas has resulted in the large-scale destruction of Gaza, including the repeated displacement of its population, the destruction of critical infrastructure, and the unacceptable deaths of a great number of children.

“Israel remains responsible and accountable for the way in which it conducts military operations in Gaza. Ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law in all its aspects must be its first consideration. I urge Israel to immediately stop military operations,” stressed the Special Representative. “I further urge Hamas to immediately and unconditionally return to Israel all hostages including the bodies of the deceased, who have been abducted and forcibly taken to Gaza,” added Virginia Gamba.

The Special Representative calls on the parties to the conflict to immediately resume dialogue and engage in a ceasefire, secure the release of all hostages, and facilitate the rapid, unhindered, and safe humanitarian relief for all civilians in Gaza.

“The only way to protect children in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory is through negotiations in good faith, leading to lasting peace,” she concluded.

This page is part of the Children and War Project.