A United Nations commission of inquiry has accused Israel of deliberately targeting Palestinian children during its military operations in Gaza, alleging actions that may constitute genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes under international law.
In a newly released report, the commission stated that Israeli authorities and security forces were responsible for acts that caused death, severe injuries, and psychological trauma to large numbers of Palestinian children. The report further claims that such actions continued even after a ceasefire agreement was reached in Gaza in October 2025.
According to the commission, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the harm inflicted on children forms part of a broader strategy aimed at weakening the future of the Palestinian population by targeting its younger generation.
The findings were issued by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, a body established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2021 to investigate alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. While the commission operates under a UN mandate, it does not officially speak on behalf of the United Nations as a whole.
The report alleges that Palestinian children in Gaza have been directly affected by military actions, including attacks on residential areas, schools, displacement camps, and other locations where large numbers of civilians were present. It also raises concerns about conditions in the occupied West Bank, where children have reportedly faced violence, arrests, detention, and other forms of mistreatment.
Among the allegations, the commission claims that Israeli operations have severely disrupted access to healthcare for children by damaging or affecting neonatal and pediatric medical facilities. It also argues that restrictions on humanitarian assistance have contributed to worsening food insecurity and malnutrition among young people in Gaza.
The report further states that prolonged displacement, interruptions to education, and damage to schools have had a significant impact on children’s development and access to learning, potentially affecting future generations.
The commission’s chair, Srinivasan Muralidhar, said the protection and welfare of Palestinian children are closely linked to the broader rights and future of the Palestinian people. He argued that attacks affecting children have long-term consequences for the survival and development of the community.
Israel has strongly rejected the report and dismissed its conclusions. In a statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry described the document as biased and accused the commission of unfairly targeting Israel while failing to adequately address actions carried out by Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups.
Israeli officials also argued that the report overlooks the impact of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, during which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. Israeli authorities maintain that military operations in Gaza have been conducted in self-defense and are aimed at dismantling Hamas and securing the release of hostages.
The Israeli government has repeatedly denied accusations of genocide and insists that its armed forces operate in accordance with international law while taking measures to reduce civilian casualties.
The conflict began after the October 2023 attack and has resulted in extensive casualties and destruction in Gaza. According to figures provided by Gaza’s health authorities, more than 73,000 people have been killed since the start of the war, including thousands of children.
The latest report adds to ongoing international scrutiny of the conflict. Separately, the International Court of Justice is examining a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. The legal proceedings are expected to continue for several years before a final judgment is reached. Israel has rejected the allegations and described the case as baseless.
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