UN report accuses Israel of systematically targeting Palestinian children in Gaza

The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory released a comprehensive 100‑page report on the impact of the Gaza war on children. It documents 20,179 child deaths, 44,143 injuries and the widespread destruction of hospitals, schools, water and sanitation infrastructure, noting a high number of amputations, burns, and other severe injuries.

The commission concluded that Israel’s offensive deliberately targeted children, describing the practice as a central element of genocide under the UN Genocide Convention. Commission chair Srinivasan Muralidhar said the "targeting of children" aims at the very survival of the Palestinian people.

Israel rejected the findings, calling the report defamatory and blaming Hamas for using civilians, including children, as human shields. The cease‑fire remains fragile and violence continues.