UN report names Israeli forces for grave violations against Palestinian children
A girl stands in the ruins of the school building in Gaza City that was hit by an air strike Photo: Reuters
Israeli armed and security forces have once again been included in the United Nations Secretary-General’s annual list of parties committing grave violations against children, according to the Children and Armed Conflict report released Thursday.
The listing comes amid what the report describes as “an alarming rise” in violations against children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza. The UN verified 8,554 grave violations against 2,959 children in 2023, of which 7,188 were attributed to Israeli forces.
Among the verified violations were the killings of 1,259 Palestinian children in Gaza, mostly due to Israeli air strikes and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
In the Occupied West Bank, 97 Palestinian children were killed, the majority by live ammunition fired by Israeli forces. Additionally, 1,561 Palestinian children were maimed—many by Israeli air strikes, live ammunition, and tear gas.
Read more: Gaza rescuers say 33 killed by Israel fire
The report noted the use of 27 Palestinian boys as human shields by Israeli forces, along with attacks on 502 schools and hospitals.
It also cited the detention of 951 Palestinian children, with 112 held under administrative detention without trial.
“I am deeply alarmed by the continued increase in grave violations against children perpetrated by Israeli armed and security forces,” Secretary-General António Guterres wrote. He called on Israel to “abide by international humanitarian and human rights law,” and to cease the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas.
The UN also reported 2,263 denials of humanitarian access in Gaza and verified the deaths of at least 280 UN personnel since 7 October 2023 during Israeli military operations.
Read more: Israel kills at least 72 in Gaza strikes, including 21 near aid sites
The Secretary-General urged Israel to develop and sign an action plan with the UN to end and prevent such violations.
He also condemned attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups, including the use of hostages, indiscriminate rocket fire, and the use of schools and hospitals for military purposes.
While calling on Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbullah, Yemen's Houthis, and Iran to cease attacks affecting civilians, the report squarely places the majority of verified grave violations in 2023 on Israeli forces.
Israel’s inclusion on the UN “list of shame” comes despite international debate in recent years over the Secretary-General’s discretion in naming state actors.
This marks the second consecutive year Israel has appeared on the list, reflecting mounting global concern over its military conduct in the occupied territories.
Globally, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Nigeria, Haiti, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory were highlighted as regions with the highest violations.
Lebanon, Mozambique, Haiti, Ethiopia, and Ukraine saw the sharpest percentage increases.
Russian security forces remain on the list, with 1,914 violations documented in Ukraine.
The report states that non-state actors accounted for 50% of all violations, while government forces were primarily responsible for child deaths and injuries.