Israel, Hamas Listed of States Committing Violations Against Children: UN
- By Thetripurapost Desk, New York
- Jun 08, 2024
- 184
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has added the Israeli military to a global list of criminals for crimes against children in 2023. Hamas will also be listed, said a diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity
Israel's UN envoy Gilad Erdan called the decision shameful. A diplomatic source said on condition of anonymity that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad would also be listed.
Erdan said he was officially informed of the decision on Friday. Guterres is also scheduled to present a report on children and armed conflict to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on June 14.
The report covers six violations, including killing and maiming, sexual violence, abductions, recruitment and use of children, denial of aid access, and attacks on schools and hospitals.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the decision would impact Israel's relationship with the United Nations. Israel has long had a contentious relationship with the United Nations, which has been worsened by the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
The UN said last month that at least 7,797 children have been killed in Gaza during the eight-month-long war. Gaza's Health Ministry says about 15,500 children have been killed in total.
According to Israel's National Children's Council, 38 children were killed in a Hamas attack on October 7. Of the 250 people taken hostage, 42 were children. All have been released except two children