“Israel deliberately targeted Palestinian children,” says UN report
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An independent United Nations commission of inquiry has concluded that ‘Israeli’ authorities and security forces deliberately targeted Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, resulting in genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
The report, released Tuesday, also documents war crimes in the occupied West Bank.
The commission, chaired by Srinivasan Muralidhar, examined violations against Palestinian children since the escalation of hostilities following the events of October 7, 2023.
It found that Palestinian children were deliberately killed through various means, including precision strikes by drones and snipers, even in designated safe zones, and that such actions persisted after a ceasefire took effect in October 2025.
According to the report, approximately 30 percent of those killed in Gaza since October 2023 have been children, with over 20,000 Palestinian children reported killed and another 44,000 injured by late 2025.
The commission identified the targeting of children as a key element establishing genocidal intent to destroy the Palestinian group in Gaza, in whole or in part.
“The evidence shows that Palestinian children have been deliberately targeted and killed by the Israeli security forces,” stated Muralidhar.
The inquiry highlighted patterns such as attacks on family homes, healthcare facilities, and educational sites, which it said inflicted severe bodily and mental harm and destroyed the essence of childhood for an entire generation.
The commission further documented incidents in the West Bank, including the killing of children by ‘Israeli’ forces and settlers, the use of drones, and cases of sexual violence, torture, and arbitrary detention of minors.
These acts were classified as war crimes.
‘Israel’ has strongly rejected the findings, claiming the report was a “libelous sham” and biased propaganda.
The report calls for accountability, international action to prevent further violations, and support for victims.
As an independent commission of inquiry, its conclusions do not represent the official position of the United Nations as a whole but carry significant weight in international human rights discourse.
