DHAKA: At least 73 children killed by Israeli fire in the Gaza Strip. The spiraling number of children killed in the latest conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza has raised international concern.

On Saturday, a group of international and Palestinian rights groups and aid agencies urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, noting the high number of children killed.

“So far, more children have been killed by Israeli fire than Palestinian militants,” said a statement from the groups, including War Child and Defence for Children International.

On Saturday, the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, said children made up one third of civilian casualties in the conflict so far.

“From July 8th, until 4:00am on July 19, at least 73 Palestinian children have been reported killed as a result of airstrikes and shelling Israel aerial, naval and ground forces,” UNICEF’s Catherine Weibel told media.

She said the children included 53 boys and 20 girls under the age of 18 years old.

“The youngest was reportedly three months old,” she said.

More than half of the children killed are under the age of 12.

Source: gulfnews.com

BDST: 1225 HRS, JUL 20, 2014