A new United Nations report has once again named Israeli armed and security forces for committing grave violations against children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, citing an “alarming rise” in abuses, particularly in Gaza.
Read More : COAS Praises UN Diplomat Saima Saleem for Her Inspiring Service
The Children and Armed Conflict report, released Thursday, verified 8,554 grave violations against 2,959 Palestinian children in 2023, with 7,188 attributed to Israeli forces. Among the most severe findings:
- 1,259 Palestinian children killed in Gaza, mostly in Israeli airstrikes and explosive weapon attacks in populated areas.
- 97 children killed in the West Bank, primarily by Israeli live fire.
- 1,561 children maimed, many by Israeli airstrikes, bullets, and tear gas.
- 27 Palestinian boys used as human shields by Israeli troops.
- 502 schools and hospitals attacked.
- 951 children detained, including 112 held without trial under administrative detention.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep alarm over the escalating abuses, urging Israel to “comply with international humanitarian and human rights law” and halt the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas.
The report also documented 2,263 cases of blocked humanitarian aid in Gaza and confirmed the deaths of at least 280 UN personnel since October 7, 2023, during Israeli military operations.
Guterres called on Israel to sign a UN-backed action plan to prevent further violations but also condemned Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups for hostage-taking, indiscriminate rocket attacks, and using civilian infrastructure for military purposes.
Despite ongoing debate over the UN’s inclusion of state actors, this marks Israel’s second consecutive year on the so-called “list of shame,” reflecting growing international scrutiny of its conduct in the occupied territories.
Global Trends in Child Rights Violations
The report highlighted DR Congo, Somalia, Nigeria, Haiti, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory as regions with the worst violations. Lebanon, Mozambique, Haiti, Ethiopia, and Ukraine saw the sharpest increases.
Russian forces remained listed for 1,914 violations in Ukraine, while non-state actors were responsible for 50% of global abuses. However, government forces were the leading perpetrators of child casualties.
The findings underscore urgent calls for accountability and protection of children in conflict zones worldwide.
