The United Nations has added the Israeli military to a list of offenders failing to protect children last year, sparking outrage and condemnation from Israeli officials. Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, called the decision “shameful,” while Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned of consequences for Israel’s relations with the UN.
The decision comes after thousands of children have been killed in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza, with many more in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. The annual list by the UN secretary general covers the killing of children in conflict, denial of access to aid, and targeting of schools and hospitals.
While it was not immediately clear which violations the Israeli army is accused of committing, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad will also be included in the list. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the Israeli military, calling it the “most moral army in the world” and accusing the UN of adding itself to the “blacklist of history.”
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a high number of casualties, with both sides blaming each other for the violence. The UN has revised down the proportion of reported fatalities that were women and children, leading to accusations of false data from both sides.
Recent Israeli air strikes on Gaza have continued to cause devastation, with reports of civilian casualties including children. The delay in the entry of much-needed aid into Gaza has worsened the humanitarian crisis, with organizations warning of possible famine in certain areas.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, has highlighted the deadly consequences of the displacement of a large number of people in Gaza, with children dying due to malnutrition and dehydration. The situation remains dire, with calls for accountability and action to protect the lives of innocent children caught in the crossfire of the conflict.
