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UN chief to call out Israel, Hamas for violations against children

Palestinian children wait to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen amid shortages of food supplies, as the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas continues, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, February 13, 2024. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made the decision to include Israel’s military on a global list of entities responsible for violations against children in 2023, according to Israel’s U.N. envoy, Gilad Erdan. Erdan has described this decision as “shameful.” This list, part of a report on children and armed conflict, is set to be submitted to the U.N. Security Council on June 14.

Violations and Context

The report outlines six categories of violations: killing and maiming, sexual violence, abduction, recruitment and use of children, denial of humanitarian access, and attacks on schools and hospitals. While the specific violations attributed to Israel, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have not been detailed, all three groups will be included in the list. This decision has significant implications for Israel’s relationship with the U.N., as stated by Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz.

Casualties and Hostages

The conflict has resulted in significant casualties. The U.N. reported that at least 7,797 children have been killed in Gaza during the eight-month-long war, based on data from Gaza’s Ministry of Health. The Gaza government media office claims that approximately 15,500 children have been killed in total. In the attack by Hamas on October 7, 38 children were killed, and 42 of the approximately 250 hostages taken were children, according to Israel’s National Council for the Child. As of now, all but two of the child hostages have been released.

Official Reactions

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed that Guterres’ chief of staff had informed Erdan of the listing as a courtesy. Erdan expressed strong disapproval, stating, “Israel’s army is the most moral army in the world, so this immoral decision will only aid the terrorists and reward Hamas.” Dujarric described Erdan’s partial release of the phone call video as “shocking and unacceptable.”

Historical and Comparative Context

The inclusion of Israel, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad on this list comes after a long-standing contentious relationship between Israel and the U.N. This decision follows previous recommendations and discussions, such as the 2014 Gaza conflict, where significant child casualties were reported but did not result in Israel or Hamas being listed. This report aims to pressure conflicting parties into implementing measures to protect children. The list categorizes parties based on whether they have taken adequate measures for child protection.

Statements and Future Implications

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the U.N.’s decision, stating that the organization had “added itself to the black list of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers.” Conversely, a spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas viewed the decision as a positive step toward holding Israel accountable for its actions.

This move also aligns with previous listings, such as Russia’s inclusion for violations against children in Ukraine and the Saudi-led coalition’s removal from the list for actions in Yemen. The report, compiled by Virginia Gamba, Guterres’ special representative for children and armed conflict, aims to highlight and address violations against children in conflict zones.

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