Catherine Russell, executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund, has warned that Gaza is once again “the most dangerous place in the world to be a child” following the resumption of the war, Ednews reports citing Al Jazeera.

Russell said that hundreds of children will die each day if violence returns at the scale and intensity seen before the seven-day pause in fighting that ended on Friday.

“It does not have to be this way – for seven days, there was a glimmer of hope for children amidst this horrific nightmare,” Russell said in a statement on Friday.

“More than 30 children held hostage in Gaza were safely released and reunited with their families. And the humanitarian pause enabled an increase in the delivery of lifesaving supplies into and across Gaza.”

“Children need a lasting humanitarian ceasefire,” Russell added.

“We call on all parties to ensure that children are protected and assisted, in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law. All children in the State of Palestine and Israel deserve peace and hope for a better future.”