An independent United Nations inquiry on Tuesday accused Israeli authorities and security forces of deliberately targeting Palestinian children during the war in Gaza, saying the actions amounted to genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The report by the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel examined alleged violations against Palestinian children since the war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023.
The commission said children accounted for around 30% of those killed in the Gaza war, with at least 20,179 children reported killed between October 7, 2023 and October 7, 2025.
SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Children of Palestinian Ahmad Abu Heen attend his and his brother’s Mahmoud Abu Heen’s funeral, after they were killed in an Israeli strike, according to medics, at Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
UN report cites child deaths and alleged intentional targeting
The inquiry said the proportion of children killed was higher than in previous major conflicts in Gaza. It compared the figure with earlier conflicts in 2008–2009 and 2014, when children accounted for about 24% of conflict-related fatalities.
The commission said Israeli forces continued using high-payload weapons and attacks with wide-area effects in densely populated residential areas despite the growing number of child casualties.
Palestinian boy Osama Al-Reqep, 5, lies on a bed at Nasser Hospital where he receives treatment, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 1, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
“This indicates that such attacks, which killed children in such high numbers, were intentional,” the report said.
The inquiry said Palestinian children were targeted collectively because Israeli security forces considered the wider civilian population to be associated with Hamas and other armed groups.
Commission chair Srinivasan Muralidhar said evidence showed that Palestinian children had been deliberately targeted and killed by Israeli security forces, describing this as a key element in establishing genocidal intent.
Israel rejects accusations
Israel strongly rejected the report, calling it a “libelous sham” and accusing the commission of ignoring Hamas’ actions.
Israel’s mission in Geneva said the findings were another “defamatory advocacy report” and argued that the country “consistently strives to minimize harm to children even in situations of conflict.”
The Israeli government also said the report failed to acknowledge efforts to provide vaccinations, allow medical personnel into Gaza and establish field hospitals. It accused Hamas of diverting humanitarian aid and fuel intended for hospitals, an allegation Hamas has rejected.
Displaced Palestinian children look out of their shelter in Gaza City, June 15, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Impact on children’s health and wellbeing
The U.N. inquiry said conditions imposed on Gaza, including widespread attacks, repeated displacement and restrictions affecting aid, food and medicine, had severely affected children’s health and development.
The report said attacks on healthcare and reproductive facilities contributed to increased miscarriages and affected newborn survival. It added that nearly all children in Gaza were reported to require psychological support.
The commission said the impact on children extended beyond immediate deaths, arguing that the destruction and trauma experienced by young Palestinians affected the future of the population.
Palestinians children react, at the site of Israeli strikes on a house, in Gaza City, September 26, 2025. REUTERS/Ebrahim Hajjaj TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Findings also cover the West Bank
The report also examined the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where it found an increase in violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian children.
The commission documented allegations of torture and mistreatment during mass arrests and detention, including forced stripping, beatings and food deprivation, particularly affecting Palestinian boys.
It concluded that the reported treatment amounted to crimes against humanity involving torture and other inhumane acts causing severe suffering or injury.
Israel rejected those findings as well, saying the report lacked context regarding what it described as ongoing security threats and the actions of Israeli forces in response.
