Upon his return from the Palestinian territory, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder conveyed his dismay over the dire conditions in Gaza, calling it "the most dangerous place in the world" for a child.

"I'm furious that those with power shrug at the humanitarian nightmares unleashed on a million children," he told a press briefing after spending a fortnight in the embattled Strip.

He mentioned instances where children, having undergone amputations, faced further tragedy as they were "killed in those hospitals."  

"I'm furious that there are more children hiding as we speak who will no doubt be hit and have amputations in the coming days," he said.

Read more: Israeli officials say aggression to last 2 months or more: UN Sources

The Nasser hospital in the city of Khan Yunis, which is currently the largest operational facility, had been subjected to shelling on two separate occasions in the last 48 hours, he said.

"Not only [this hospital] shelters large numbers of children who had already been badly injured in attacks on their homes, but hundreds of women and children seeking safety," he said.

"I'm furious that Christmas is likely going to bring increased savagery and attacks as the world is distracted with its own love and goodwill," Elder said, lamenting the killing of children in Gaza who had become "statistics".

"I'm furious that hypocrisy is crushing empathy," he said, adding "I'm furious at myself for not being able to do more."

"I'm furious.

Furious that those with power shrug at the humanitarian nightmares unleashed on 1 mil. children.

Furious that disease is as well-armed as the warring parties, but it gets no attention.”

- @1james_elder for @UNICEF, with @DrMargaretH for @WHO, briefing on #Gaza pic.twitter.com/7hiRgAkYeR

— United Nations Geneva (@UNGeneva) December 19, 2023

IOF shuts down last operational hospital in Northern Gaza

Earlier in the day, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed the Al-Maamadani Baptist Hospital and rendered the last medical establishment in Northern Gaza out of service, further straining the already choked-up healthcare system in the embattled Strip. 

The head of the hospital's orthopedic surgery department Fadel Naeem informed AFP that all medical operations have been suspended following the Israeli forces' incursion and the arrest of several doctors, nurses, and injured civilians.

Despite reports of dozens of martyrs in the streets due to the ongoing Israeli aggression, Al-Maamadani Baptist Hospital can no longer admit patients. Naeem revealed that four individuals succumbed to injuries sustained during the Israeli aggression on the previous day.

This latest aggression comes after a series of attacks on healthcare facilities, including the forcible evacuation of wounded individuals from  Kamal Adwan Hospital and the reported bombing of the Sahaba Center, the only operational maternity ward in Gaza.

Read more: UNICEF warns Gaza ‘most dangerous place in world to be a child’