The United Nations has added the Israeli military to its list of entities accused of violating children’s rights in conflict zones.
This was announced by Israel’s UN ambassador Gilad Erdan on Friday. The inclusion in the UN Secretary-General’s annual report stated offenses such as child fatalities, restricted access to humanitarian aid, and attacks on educational and medical facilities.
The report, which is set to be presented to the UN Security Council next week, has drawn strong reactions from both Israeli officials and Palestinian representatives.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, has strongly condemned the UN’s decision, suggesting it could severely impact Israel’s relationship with the organization. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, labeling the UN’s move as adding itself to the “blacklist of history” and defending the Israeli Defense Forces as “the most moral army in the world.”
Conversely, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the UN’s decision, viewing it as a crucial step towards holding Israel accountable for what he described as crimes against Palestinian children.
The conflict has resulted in substantial casualties. According to Israel’s National Council for the Child, 1,200 Israelis, including 38 children, were killed in Hamas attacks on October 7th of last year.
In retaliation, Israeli bombardments in Gaza have led to the deaths of thousands, with the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reporting 36,731 fatalities, including numerous children. Recent UN figures estimate that at least 7,797 children have been killed in Gaza based on identified bodies. Israel has criticized the UN for relying on data from the Hamas-run health ministry.
Continuing Israeli air strikes have caused further casualties, including a recent strike on a Gaza school that reportedly killed at least 35 people, 14 of whom were children.
Humanitarian organizations have stated the severe situation in Gaza, citing significant delays in aid deliveries that are worsening the crisis. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees and other groups report malnutrition and dehydration are leading to child fatalities amid the ongoing conflict and displacement.
