GENEVA: The United Nations has issued a stark warning regarding the mental health of approximately 1 million children in Gaza, stating they are facing severe trauma as fighting re-erupts following a six-week ceasefire.

With the recent escalation marked by renewed Israeli aerial bombardments and ground operations, humanitarian conditions in the territory have significantly deteriorated, leading to a rising civilian death toll.

Sam Rose, the senior deputy field director in Gaza for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, emphasized the psychological toll on children who are once again subjected to violence they had briefly escaped.

The cessation of hostilities that began on January 19 has collapsed, and the population, already beleaguered by a prolonged conflict lasting over 15 months, is now facing renewed hardships.

“It’s worse this time,” remarked Rose, citing exhaustion and degradation among the population, which is already grappling with compromised immune systems and deteriorating mental health amid looming food scarcity.

Reports indicate that children, who had recently returned to school after an 18-month hiatus, are once again displaced, living in tents while hearing the sounds of bombardment surrounding them.

James Elder, a spokesperson for UNICEF, highlighted that traumatized children often begin to process their experiences only when they can return to a semblance of normality.

The unfortunate reality in Gaza showcases an unprecedented situation where an entire population of children is in need of mental health support.

As hostilities resumed, the Gaza civil defense agency reported at least 504 fatalities, with more than 190 of those being children, marking one of the highest casualty rates since the outbreak of conflict.

Additionally, the safety of humanitarian workers has been heavily compromised, with seven UNRWA staff members killed since the ceasefire ended, raising the total number of agency fatalities to 284 since hostilities began.

The humanitarian situation is further complicated by Israel's recent decision to halt aid and electricity to Gaza, amid stalled negotiations aimed at extending the ceasefire.

Rose noted that while there had been some positive developments in aid delivery during the ceasefire, that progress is now being reversed, indicating a severe shortage of essential supplies in Gaza, including flour, which is expected to run out in six days.

Addressing claims from Israel regarding Hamas's alleged diversion of aid, Rose stated that he had not encountered credible evidence to support such claims.

He emphasized that currently, no aid is being distributed, implying that there are no resources available for misappropriation.

Without the reestablishment of aid channels, he expressed concern that Gaza might regress to conditions akin to the most desperate days of the conflict, including increased looting and heightened suffering among the populace.

Elder detailed critical supplies that humanitarian agencies are unable to deliver to Gaza, including 180,000 doses of life-saving vaccines and a dire shortage of incubators and ventilators for newborns amid a surge in pre-term births, highlighting the urgent humanitarian needs that remain unmet.