UN Commission Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza by Targeting Children
According to the latest findings released on 23 June 2026, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has concluded that Israeli authorities have deliberately carried out attacks against Palestinian children, substantiating allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The report outlines that Israeli forces have systematically destroyed the future of Palestinian society by striking schools, residential buildings, and displacement camps where children are present. It cites precision weaponry such as drone strikes and sniper fire aimed at “vital organs” of young civilians, and the persistent use of high‑impact munitions even after the ceasefire brokered in October 2025.
The commission cites data from Gaza’s Hamas‑run health ministry — statistics recognised by the United Nations — that show more than 73,035 deaths, including over 21,280 children, as a consequence of Israeli attacks since the October 2023 offensive. Additional figures reveal that 1,020 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank post‑ceasefire, with a significant number of adolescent boys detained, tortured, or subjected to gender‑based violence.
In a statement, Srinivasan Muralidhar, chair of the commission, noted: “Even after the October 2025 ceasefire, children continue to be killed and seriously injured, with continued disregard by Israel for the ceasefire and for the protection owed to Palestinian children under international law.” He added that “the protection, care and survival of Palestinian children are inseparable from the Palestinian people’s right to self‑determination.”
Israel’s foreign ministry has swiftly condemned the report, labeling it a “libellous sham” and a piece of “propaganda,” and asserting that its military operations were conducted in self‑defence against Hamas and aimed at rescuing hostages. The ministry also pointed to alleged misuse of civilians by Hamas as a mitigating factor.
The UN report’s findings follow an earlier 2024 inquiry that had already identified the four acts of genocide under the 1948 Convention as occurring in Gaza. While Israel denied those claims, the latest evidence broadens the scrutiny of war conduct, especially in a region where civilian casualties have become a recurring tragedy.
The International Court of Justice has a pending case brought by South Africa accusing Israeli forces of genocide. The court’s proceedings may take years to conclude, but the new UN findings could influence future rulings and international pressure on Israel.
In the meantime, humanitarian agencies note that repeated attacks on neonatal and paediatric hospitals have curtailed access to essential medical care, exacerbating malnutrition and amplifying a chronic crisis among Gaza’s children.
The report underscores the urgent need for accountability and de‑escalation, warning that systematic targeting of children cripples the social and intellectual foundations of Palestinian society. The international community faces the challenge of balancing immediate relief efforts with long‑term justice mechanisms.
