The United Nations has added Israel’s military to its list of offenders against children. This decision, made by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, will be included in the annual report on children in armed conflict presented to the UN Security Council next week. Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, condemned the decision as “shameful,” while Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned of potential consequences for Israel’s relations with the UN.
Israel’s attacks on Palestinians have had devastating effects on children in Gaza. According to the various reports, over 15,000 children have been killed during the Israeli military operations.
The humanitarian crisis extends beyond the death toll. Israel is delaying the entry of essential aid into Gaza, exacerbating the suffering of its residents. The US-based Famine Early Warning Systems Network reported that famine conditions might be emerging in northern Gaza, with severe food insecurity in Rafah due to ongoing military operations. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has highlighted the dire situation, noting that children are dying from malnutrition and dehydration as aid deliveries fall sharply.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the UN’s actions a “blacklist of history,” maintaining that the Israeli military is “the most moral army in the world.” Israeli officials have also criticized various UN agencies, including UNRWA and the World Health Organization, for alleged biases and failures in their operations.
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Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian envoy to the UN, welcomed the decision as a step toward accountability for Israel’s actions. He stated that it could help end the impunity Israel has enjoyed and protect Palestinian children from further harm. Human rights groups have echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for concrete actions to prevent future violations against children in conflict zones.
As the UN prepares to present the report to the Security Council, the international community will closely watch for any actions or resolutions that may arise. The ongoing conflict in Gaza remains a critical issue, with both immediate and long-term implications for the region’s stability and the protection of vulnerable populations, particularly children.