disaster
oPt: Gaza: The killing of children and civilians is unacceptable and must stop
By Plan International at ReliefWeb
· June 16, 2026
· 2 min read
. Rayan Abu al-Ajeen was three years old. According to media reports, he was being carried by his father near the family’s farm in central Gaza when he was shot and killed. His father, Bahaa, was also shot and is receiving medical treatment. This is not an isolated incident. On 10 June, eight childr
Key takeaway On 10 June, eight children were killed and 17 more injured across five locations in Gaza in a single weekend, including children who were playing football when a nearby strike hit.
Why this matters
The killing of children and civilians in Gaza, including the tragic death of three-year-old Rayan Abu al-Ajeen, highlights the urgent need for humanitarian access and protection of civilian infrastructure. With over 72,000 people killed in Gaza since October 2023, including more than 21,000 children, the psychological toll on survivors will be severe and long-lasting. The fact that children are being killed or losing family, homes, schools, and playgrounds underscores the devastating impact of the conflict on their lives. Plan International's call for all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and protect civilians is crucial. The organization's commitment to delivering life-saving assistance through local partners inside Gaza is a testament to the importance of principled humanitarian action. As the international community responds to this crisis, it is essential to prioritize sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza, ensuring that children and civilians receive the aid they desperately need.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: June 16, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . Rayan Abu al-Ajeen was three years old. According to media reports, he was being carried by his father near the family’s farm in central Gaza when he was shot and killed. His father, Bahaa, was also shot and is receiving medical treatment. This is not an isolated incident. On 10 June, eight childr
When was this published? This article was first published on June 16, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Plan International at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .