UN report accuses Israel of targeting children in Gaza

About 30% of those killed in the Gaza war have been children, according to the UN commission of inquiry

A United Nations commission has accused Israel of deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza, alleging actions that amount to genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The explosive findings are set to intensify international scrutiny of Israel’s military campaign and deepen an already bitter global debate over the war.

The report claims Israeli operations have inflicted death, severe injury and psychological trauma on hundreds of thousands of children, arguing that the attacks form part of a broader strategy aimed at undermining the future of Palestinians in Gaza.

Genocide Allegation Raises Stakes

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry said it had reasonable grounds to conclude that Israeli actions against children were part of a deliberate effort to destroy the Palestinian population’s future prospects.

Commission chair Srinivasan Muralidhar said the scale and systematic nature of military operations had produced unprecedented levels of death, injury and trauma among children. The report argues that attacks continued even after the ceasefire agreed in October 2025, with children remaining among the casualties.

Children at Centre of Findings

The commission alleges that Palestinian children have been killed by precision weapons, including sniper fire and drone attacks, as well as by large-scale strikes on homes, schools and displacement camps.

It also accuses Israel of dismantling access to essential healthcare through attacks on paediatric and neonatal facilities, while restrictions on humanitarian aid are alleged to have contributed to widespread malnutrition. The report further claims education has been severely disrupted through school closures, displacement and destruction of infrastructure.

Israel Rejects Report as ‘Propaganda’

Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the findings outright, describing the report as a “libellous sham” and accusing the commission of bias.

Officials argued the report ignores the actions of Hamas and fails to acknowledge Israeli children killed or kidnapped during the 7 October 2023 attacks. Israel maintains that its military campaign has been conducted in self-defence and in accordance with international law.

Bahttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0jy96w6pw2ottle Moves Beyond the Battlefield

The report lands as the International Court of Justice continues to hear a separate case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide.

While no final legal ruling has been reached, the latest allegations are likely to increase diplomatic pressure on Israel and sharpen divisions among its allies. With the war’s human toll continuing to mount, the legal and political battle surrounding the conflict shows no sign of easing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0jy96w6pw2o