The United Nations has placed Israel on a blacklist for severe human rights violations against children in Gaza.
As reported by Arab media, the list, which will be detailed in a report set to be published by the end of June, also includes Russia, Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, ISIS, and Boko Haram.
The Israeli delegate criticized this classification sharply, denouncing it as ‘shameful’ upon formal notification last Friday.
UN’s action is part of a broader UN report on children and armed conflicts, scheduled to be presented to the UN Security Council on June 14. Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, opted not to comment on the issue.
The forthcoming report will address various violations, including the killing, maiming, sexual abuse, abduction of children, denial of humanitarian access, and attacks on schools and hospitals. The blacklist is segmented into two sections: one for entities that have enacted protective measures for children and another for those that have not, with the Israeli military falling into the latter category.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Munir Akram, responded to the news by stating that the inclusion of the Israeli military was anticipated and long overdue. He also condemned nations that supply arms to Israel.
Since October 7, 2023, children have been disproportionately affected by Israeli actions in Gaza. The Gaza official media office reports that over 15,500 children have died as a result of these hostilities. Additionally, according to UNICEF, nearly 90% of children in Gaza face significant nutritional deficits, with their diets comprising less than two food groups.
The World Health Organization notes that 80% of children in Gaza experience hunger at least one day every three days. Defence for Children International Palestine has highlighted that thousands of Palestinian children have been injured and continue to suffer from the enduring physical and psychological impacts of the conflict. As of today, eight months have passed since the onset of the latest Israeli attacks in Gaza.
