At least 47 women and girls died every day during the Gaza war, according to a report by UN Women released on Friday. The agency warned that killings continued even six months into a fragile ceasefire.
The report said more than 38,000 women and girls lost their lives in Gaza between October 2023 and December 2025. Sofia Calltorp told reporters in Geneva that women and girls made up a far higher share of deaths compared to previous conflicts in Gaza.
“Those killed were mothers; they were daughters, sisters, and friends, deeply loved by those around them,” she said.
Killings Continued Despite Ceasefire
The agency raised concern that violence against women and girls continued even ahead of the October ceasefire. However, it said it could not confirm the exact number due to the absence of gender-disaggregated data.
October’s ceasefire halted two years of full-scale war but left Israeli forces in control of a largely depopulated zone covering more than half of Gaza, while Hamas retained control over the remaining narrow coastal strip.
Hundreds Killed After Ceasefire, Tensions Persist
Local media reports indicate that more than 750 Palestinians have died since the ceasefire. Meanwhile, Israel says it aims to foil potential attacks by Hamas.
At the same time, UNICEF reported that child deaths continue at an alarming rate, with at least 214 children killed in the past six months.
Healthcare Crisis Deepens for Women in Gaza
“Extensive damage to infrastructure has made it almost impossible for women and girls in Gaza to access basic healthcare,” Calltorp said.
She added, “This war has reshaped families. Tens of thousands of households are now headed by women.”
Meanwhile, data from the World Health Organization shows that more than 500,000 women lack access to essential services, including antenatal and postnatal care and treatment for sexually transmitted infections
