News Center- The war in Gaza has killed at least 14,500 children, injured thousands more, left an estimated 17,000 unaccompanied or separated from their parents, and nearly one million displaced from their homes, said a report released by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Thursday.

In the Gaza Strip, 88% of schools have been damaged or destroyed in the war between Israel and Hamas. “Around 660,000 children are out of school due to the war,” the report said.

On August 1, 2024, UNRWA began its first phase response of “Back to Learning” with a focus on mental health activities. “This is taking place in 86 Temporary Learning Spaces in 40 UNRWA schools-turned-shelters, with the support of over 900 teachers and up to 750 school counsellors.” According to the report, more than 18,000 children, over half of them girls, have benefited from UNRWA’s “Back to Learning” program so far.

“Between 13 and 19 January 2025, 8,998 children (3,564 boys, 5,434 girls, including 364 children with disabilities) participated in basic literacy and numeracy activities.”

“The war has exacted a horrific toll on Gaza’s children – reportedly leaving at least 14,500 dead, thousands more injured, an estimated 17,000 unaccompanied or separated from their parents, and nearly one million displaced from their homes,” the UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated.

At least 47,161 Palestinians have been killed and 111,166 others injured in the Gaza Strip since October 7,2023, according to the Gaza’s health ministry.