A United Nations enquiry has accused Israeli authorities and security forces of deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza, saying the actions amounted to genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, while also documenting war crimes against children in the occupied West Bank.
The report by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry examined violations against Palestinian children since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023 and found that children accounted for around 30% of those killed in Gaza.
The commission said at least 20,179 Palestinian children were killed between October 2023 and October 2025, a proportion higher than in previous Gaza conflicts, and argued that Israel’s use of heavy munitions in densely populated areas indicated intentional targeting.
It also said Israel’s blockade and repeated displacement had caused severe malnutrition, trauma and preventable deaths among children, with nearly all children in Gaza now requiring psychological support.
In the West Bank, the enquiry documented a sharp rise in settler violence against children and alleged torture, beatings and sexual abuse of Palestinian minors in detention.
Israel rejected the report, calling it a “libellous sham” and accusing the commission of ignoring Hamas’ conduct during the war.
Its mission in Geneva said Israel “consistently strives to minimise harm to children” and said the report omitted its efforts to facilitate medical aid, vaccinations and field hospitals.
UN Watch, a Geneva-based monitoring group focused on UN conduct, also criticised the report, saying it failed to provide verified evidence that Israeli forces deliberately selected children as targets, arguing that civilian child deaths alone do not prove intent.
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Iran has said it remains determined to pursue legal action against Israel and the United States over the deaths of senior officials and civilians during recent military confrontations, insisting it will seek accountability through international bodies.
Pakistan on Sunday expressed "deep concern" over the latest escalation in the Middle East following renewed military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran. It urged all sides to exercise restraint and honour commitments made under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Tajikistan will reduce electricity exports and increase water reserves ahead of winter as the government seeks to improve domestic power supplies after last year’s seasonal shortages.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
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