The United Nations has officially listed the Israeli military in a global register of violators of children’s rights due to its ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. This inclusion is part of the UN’s report on children and armed conflict, set to be presented to the UN Security Council on June 14.
The decision has provoked significant anger within Israel, with formal implementation expected by the end of June. Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, criticized UN Secretary-General António Guterres for the decision, describing it as “disgraceful.” In a statement, Erdan remarked, “This is an immoral decision that aids terrorism and rewards Hamas. The only person blacklisted today is the Secretary-General. Shame on him.” Erdan confirmed he was officially notified of the decision on Friday.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz warned that the decision could impact Israel’s relations with the United Nations. The fallout from this decision adds to the already strained relationship between Israel and various international bodies over its policies and military actions in Gaza.
Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in significant casualties, with nearly 37,000 fatalities, about a third of whom are children, according to health authorities in the region. The high civilian toll has drawn widespread condemnation and raised serious concerns about the humanitarian impact of the conflict.
The Gaza Strip has been a flashpoint of intense conflict between Israel and Palestinian factions, particularly Hamas, which governs the area. The region has seen recurrent cycles of violence, leading to heavy casualties and destruction of infrastructure. International efforts to broker peace have repeatedly faltered, leaving the civilian population, including a large number of children, to bear the brunt of the conflict.
The inclusion of the Israeli military on the UN’s list is expected to amplify the ongoing debate about the conduct of military operations in conflict zones and the protection of children’s rights under international law. It may also influence global public opinion and policy decisions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
