The UN’s decision to include the Israeli military on a list of entities accused of violating children’s rights in conflict zones has stirred considerable controversy, as confirmed by Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, on Friday.
The annual report from the UN Secretary-General, which features this new designation, outlines various offenses, including the killing of children, obstruction of humanitarian aid, and attacks on educational and medical facilities. This report is slated for presentation to the UN Security Council in the upcoming week.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned the decision, cautioning that it could severely impact Israel’s relationship with the UN, according to BBC reports. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also criticized the UN, characterizing its move as adding itself to the “blacklist of history,” while staunchly defending the Israeli Defense Forces as “the most moral army in the world.”
Conversely, a spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the UN’s action, interpreting it as a stride toward holding Israel accountable for what he labeled as crimes against Palestinian children.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with Israel’s National Council for the Child reporting 1,200 Israeli fatalities, including 38 children, in Hamas attacks on October 7th of last year. In retaliation, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have claimed thousands of lives, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting 36,731 fatalities, including numerous children.
Recent UN estimates suggest that at least 7,797 children have died in Gaza, based on identified bodies. However, Israel has criticized the UN for relying on data from the Hamas-run health ministry.
Israeli airstrikes persist, with reports of a recent strike on a Gaza school resulting in the deaths of at least 35 people, including 14 children. Humanitarian organizations have raised concerns about the dire situation in Gaza, with significant delays in aid deliveries exacerbating the crisis.
Reports from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees and other groups indicate that malnutrition and dehydration are claiming children’s lives amid the ongoing conflict and displacement.
The inclusion of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad alongside the Israeli military on the UN’s list underscores the intricate nature of this enduring conflict and the mutual accusations involved. The forthcoming Security Council presentation is expected to fuel further debate on accountability and the protection of children in conflict zones.
