In recent remarks that underscore the human toll mounting in Gaza, Palestine's Minister for Women's Affairs, Mona El-Khalili, revealed that 73% of casualties in the ongoing conflict are women and children. With more than 20,000 women already killed, she warned that Gaza's girls and mothers face unprecedented hardship.
"Women and girls in Gaza are losing not just their lives but their dignity and privacy," El-Khalili said. "They are struggling to find safety, dignity and a chance to rebuild even the basics of daily life."
Data from local health authorities paint a grim picture: three out of every four people killed in Gaza are female or under the age of 18. Overcrowded shelters, scarce clean water and intermittent electricity cuts have created a breeding ground for disease and trauma.
Despite the chaos, grassroots groups are organizing support networks:
- Mobile clinics are targeting maternal and child health in refugee camps.
- Emergency counseling lines connect survivors with volunteer psychologists.
- Local activists distribute safe kits to help women regain a measure of privacy.
Humanitarian advocates say the crisis calls for urgent global attention. "These numbers represent mothers, sisters, daughters – the backbone of Gaza's communities," said one international aid worker on the ground. "Without targeted support, the toll on Gaza's women and children will only deepen."
As the conflict stretches on, El-Khalili stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire and a coordinated relief effort focused on the most vulnerable. Her message is clear: behind every statistic is a human story waiting for a chance to live again.
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Palestinian minister: 73% of Gaza casualties are women and children
cgtn.com
