The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has taken a devastating toll on the lives of Palestinian children, with the United Nations now adding Israel to its so-called “blacklist” of countries that have committed abuses against children in armed conflict. This move comes as Israel’s relentless bombardment and siege of the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of more than 15,500 Palestinian children, while fueling widespread malnutrition and a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic proportions. The annual UN report on children in armed conflict compiles a list of parties engaged in violations against children, including the killing and maiming of minors, sexual violence, and attacks on schools and hospitals. For years, Palestinian rights advocates have criticized the UN Secretary-General for failing to place Israel on this so-called “list of shame,” despite mounting evidence of the Israeli military’s atrocities against children in the occupied territories.
The decision to add Israel to the blacklist is a significant step towards holding the country accountable for its actions. Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan’s vehement reaction, describing the move as “outrageous and wrong,” underscores the gravity of this development and the potential consequences for Israel’s standing on the global stage.
The UN’s move comes at a time when the ongoing conflict in Gaza has taken a devastating toll on Palestinian children. According to the Gaza government media office, more than 36,700 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since early October, including 15,571 children. The collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system has meant that many critically injured children are unable to receive the care they desperately need, with Defense for Children International-Palestine reporting on the dire consequences of the military assault.
The dire situation in Gaza has also led to a severe food crisis, with the UN’s child rights agency UNICEF revealing that nine out of 10 Palestinian children in the enclave are living in “severe child food poverty, surviving on diets comprising two or fewer food groups per day – one of the highest percentages ever recorded.” This stark statistic is a damning indictment of the impact of Israel’s blockade and bombardment on the most vulnerable members of the Palestinian population.
The UN’s decision to add Israel to the blacklist is a crucial step towards accountability and the protection of children in conflict zones. The move sends a clear message that the international community will not turn a blind eye to the systematic violation of children’s rights, even when it involves a powerful state like Israel. By placing Israel on this list, the UN is calling for stricter measures, including potential arms embargoes and sanctions, to be taken against the offending party.
However, the road to accountability is not without its challenges. Israeli officials have dismissed the UN’s decision, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz describing it as “shameful” and vowing that it will have consequences for Israel’s relations with the organization. The political and diplomatic backlash from Israel and its staunch allies is likely to be fierce, underscoring the delicate balance the UN must strike in navigating these complex geopolitical tensions.
Ultimately, the UN’s decision to add Israel to the children in armed conflict blacklist represents a critical milestone in the ongoing struggle for the protection of Palestinian children’s rights. As the conflict in Gaza continues to rage, the international community must remain steadfast in its commitment to hold all parties accountable and ensure that themost vulnerable members of society are spared the horrors of war.
