NNA - Over 170 children were killed in Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza on March 18, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

According to the agency, there were more than 170 kids and over 80 women among the 404 people killed in the attacks. OCHA added that rescuers and ambulance workers are unable to reach most of the injured "due to the lack of vehicles and heavy machinery."

In addition, the UN agency stressed that "13 hospitals and four field hospitals remain non-functional, 22 hospitals and six field hospitals are partially functional, four field hospitals are fully functional and no hospitals are fully functional" in Gaza. According to OCHA, Dr. Mohammed Abu Silmiyeh, director of Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, described the situation as "catastrophic," with a very high number of casualties.

On March 18, the Israeli army carried out large-scale attacks on the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the move was due to Hamas' rejection of proposals made during talks with mediators and US special envoy Steve Witkoff. According to the Israeli authorities, the goal of the attacks was to ensure the release of the hostages held in Gaza. Hamas blamed Israel and the US for the resumption of military activities.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 400 people were killed and over 560 injured in the attacks.--agencies 
 

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