A recent report from the United Nations has alleged that Israel deliberately targeted Palestinian children in Gaza, accusing the country of committing genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes during the conflict in the region. The investigation conducted by the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry revealed that 30% of the individuals killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas conflict began were children.
The report stated that Israeli forces intentionally carried out actions that caused death and severe physical and mental harm to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children. Despite the increasing number of child casualties, Israeli forces continued to use high-explosive weapons in densely populated areas during the conflict.
The commission emphasized that Israeli attacks on hospitals in Gaza have significantly disrupted children’s access to life-saving medical care, jeopardizing their survival as a vulnerable group. The panel previously concluded in September that Israel had engaged in genocide during the Gaza war, a claim vehemently denied by Israel.
The commission’s chair, Srinivasan Muralidhar, highlighted the ongoing targeting of children by Israel, stating that even after the ceasefire, children continue to suffer from fatal injuries. The report also exposed incidents of Israeli authorities arresting, torturing, and ill-treating Palestinian children in prisons and detention facilities.
Israel has strongly refuted the commission’s findings, dismissing them as defamatory and biased. The country argues that Hamas, the militant group operating in Gaza, often uses civilian areas for its operations, endangering civilians and diverting humanitarian aid meant for hospitals.
The report underscored the long-lasting impact of the conflict on Palestinian children, leading to physical and psychological injuries, displacement, and a collapse of essential services like education and healthcare. The commission urged for better protection and care for Palestinian children to uphold their right to self-determination and a secure future.