Facts and figures
The figures behind our work
Facts about children in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, with sources from the UN and UNICEF.
We share these figures to inform, not to compare suffering. Our concern is children, on all sides of the conflict. The figures come from authoritative, independent sources: UNICEF and the humanitarian coordination of the United Nations.
These are estimates by humanitarian organisations, valid as of a stated date. Figures change and are updated. Always check the source for the latest situation.
Children in Gaza
Nutrition
Up to April 2027, some 74,200 children aged between 6 months and 5 years are expected to suffer acute malnutrition, including 11,400 with severe acute malnutrition.
UNICEF, Humanitarian Action for Children 2026, revision 2 (September 2026), based on IPC (August 2026)
Education
More than 658,000 school-age children cannot go to school, and 97.5% of schools have been damaged or destroyed.
UNICEF, Humanitarian Action for Children 2026, revision 2 (September 2026); Education Cluster, school damage update 11 (November 2025)
Displaced
Almost 1.7 million people are displaced, about 80% of the population, including an estimated 800,000 children.
UNICEF, Situation Report No. 48 (as of 30 June 2026)
Children in the West Bank
Violence
From 7 October 2023 up to and including 30 June 2026, 256 Palestinian and 4 Israeli children were killed in conflict-related violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. More than 2,100 Palestinian children were injured.
UNICEF, Situation Report No. 48 (as of 30 June 2026)
Displaced
In the north, some 32,000 Palestinians, including 12,000 children, have been displaced from the Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps since January 2025.
UNICEF, Situation Report No. 48 (as of 30 June 2026)
Health care and water
In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, about 800,000 people need water and sanitation services and 830,000 people need health care.
UNICEF, Humanitarian Action for Children 2026, revision 2 (September 2026)
Children in Israel
Why these figures look uneven
The available, verified figures are largely about Palestinian children. That is where the acute humanitarian need is currently greatest, and where the UN agencies report in most detail. At the same time, we know that Israeli children also struggle with conflict-related fear, loss and trauma. We do not compare suffering. Layan stands for all children who are victims of this conflict.
7 October 2023
In the attack of 7 October 2023 and its immediate aftermath, about 1,200 people were killed in Israel, including 37 children. Thirty-six children were taken hostage: 34 were released alive in November 2023, and the remains of two children were returned in February 2025. UNICEF stresses that the psychological impact of the conflict on Israeli children must not be overlooked either.
UNICEF, Humanitarian Action for Children 2026, revision 2 (September 2026); UNICEF, Situation Report No. 46 (as of 31 December 2025)
Sources
Accessed 8 October 2026.
- UNICEF, Humanitarian Action for Children 2026: State of Palestine, revision 2 (September 2026)
- UNICEF, State of Palestine Humanitarian Situation Report No. 48 (as of 30 June 2026)
- UNICEF, State of Palestine Humanitarian Situation Report No. 46 (as of 31 December 2025)
- Education Cluster, verification of damage to schools in Gaza, update 11 (November 2025)
- UN OCHA, occupied Palestinian territory (current humanitarian figures)
Help these children
Behind every number is a child. With your support, we provide medical aid, education and resilience.
For all children in the conflict, Palestinian and Israeli. Our stance
Us and them, not us or them.
