A United Nations Commission of Inquiry has said that Israeli security forces deliberately targeted Palestinian children in Gaza and that the conduct it examined supports its conclusion that genocide is continuing. The commission said it had reasonable grounds to find that children were intentionally killed and seriously harmed. It described some of the conduct as possible war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The UN investigation covered violations against Palestinian children from October 2023 to March 2026. According to the report, more than 20,000 children were killed during the first two years of the war and more than 44,000 were injured. The commission said children represented about 30 percent of those killed, while thousands more may still be buried under destroyed buildings.
The inquiry also examined the wider impact on children. It referred to amputations, severe burns, spinal injuries, loss of sight and hearing, psychological trauma, malnutrition and the loss of access to healthcare and education. It also raised concerns about damage to hospitals, maternity services and facilities caring for newborn babies.
The commission further reported allegations of harsh treatment of Palestinian children in detention, including beatings, deprivation of food and water, sleep deprivation and other forms of abuse. It also examined allegations of sexual and gender-based violence against children.
Israel rejected the findings and accused the commission of being biased. Israeli authorities said the report ignored attacks and abuses committed by Hamas and questioned the commission’s methods. The UN commission called for stronger protection of children, unrestricted humanitarian assistance, an end to attacks on civilian infrastructure and accountability for alleged international crimes.
