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UN Again Blacklists Israel Over Grave Child Rights Abuses in Conflict Zones
UN keeps Israel on child rights blacklist for 2nd year. Gaza & West Bank saw highest global violations in 2024. Over 1,200 Palestinian children confirmed killed—thousands more unverified.
ND
by News Desk
2025-06-20
UN Again Blacklists Israel Over Grave Child Rights Abuses in Conflict Zones

The United Nations has once again placed Israel on its annual “blacklist” of countries and armed groups that commit grave violations against children in conflict zones, as its military campaign in Gaza enters its 20th month.

In the 2024 report on Children and Armed Conflict, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cited Israel for an unprecedented number of violations, noting that 2024 saw a 25% surge globally in violence against children. Israel, according to the report, was responsible for the highest number of such violations worldwide, specifically in the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank.

The report verified 8,554 grave violations involving 2,959 children — the vast majority of whom (2,944) were Palestinian, and only 15 Israeli. The confirmed toll includes 1,259 Palestinian children killed and 941 wounded in Gaza alone, amid continuous Israeli air and ground assaults.

The UN is currently verifying an additional 4,470 child fatalities reported in 2024 by the Gaza Health Ministry, signaling that the final toll may be significantly higher.

In the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the UN verified the killing of 97 children and recorded 3,688 violations, often involving Israeli security operations and settler-related violence.

The report also highlights Israeli military operations in Lebanon, where over 500 children were killed or injured in the past year.

“I am appalled by the intensity of grave violations against children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel,” said UN Chief Antonio Guterres, condemning Israel’s use of explosive weapons in populated areas and urging compliance with international humanitarian law.

Israel Silent, UN Stands Firm

Israel’s UN delegation has not issued an official response. However, in the past, Israeli officials have sharply criticized their inclusion on the list, accusing the UN of bias.

The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad — the Qassam Brigades and al-Quds Brigades — were also re-listed for the second consecutive year.

Global Scope of Child Rights Violations

Besides Palestine, the report documents severe violations in:

·       Democratic Republic of Congo: 4,000+

·       Somalia: 2,500+

·       Nigeria: Nearly 2,500

·       Haiti: Over 2,200

The sharpest increases in violations occurred in:

·       Lebanon: +545%

·       Mozambique: +525%

·       Haiti: +490%

·       Ethiopia: +235%

·       Ukraine: +105%

UN’s Call for Accountability

Guterres reiterated that children, schools, and hospitals must be protected under international law, stressing that warring parties must distinguish between combatants and civilians and avoid excessive harm.

The report concludes by urging all parties — including state and non-state actors — to cease violations, grant humanitarian access, and comply with international norms for child protection.

 
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ChildRights

WarCrimes

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