NEW YORK, June 20 — The United Nations (UN) retains Israel on its annual 'blacklist' of parties responsible for committing serious violations against children in conflict zones, the Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA) reported.
The 2024 report by UN Secretary General António Guterres on Children and Armed Conflict details the violations during 2024, identifies it as a responsible party for killing and maiming children, as well as attacking schools and hospitals.
The listing underscores Israel's continued presence on the blacklist for committing grave breaches of children's rights during armed conflict.
"A total of 8,554 serious violations were committed against 2,944 Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, by Israeli occupation forces and settlers," it said.
Meanwhile, the UN documented the detention of 951 Palestinian children, with 861 detained in the West Bank, including 259 in East Jerusalem, and 90 in Gaza, while 27 children were reported used as human shields by Israeli forces during military operations.
The report also highlights the impact on children with disabilities, stating that 1,561 disabled children were affected, with 1,507 harmed by Israeli forces and 54 by settlers.
In terms of humanitarian access, Israeli forces reportedly obstructed aid deliveries 5,091 times, including 2,828 instances in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and 2,263 in Gaza.
Guterres expressed the deep concern over the continued escalation of grave violations against children by Israeli forces and called for accountability.
He reiterated the importance of compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law, emphasising the special protection afforded to children and the need to safeguard schools and hospitals.
The report comes at a time when Israel continues, since October 7, 2023, its ongoing aggression on Gaza, described by many observers and human rights organisations as a campaign of genocide involving killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement.
— Bernama
