UNICEF warns incursion into Rafah would threaten 600,000 children

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) warned on Monday that a military besiegement and ground incursion in Rafah would pose "catastrophic risks" to the 600,000 children taking shelter there.

"Rafah is now a city of children, who have nowhere safe to go in Gaza. If large scale military operations start, not only will children be at risk from the violence, but also from chaos and panic, and at a time where their physical and mental states are already weakened,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.