UN Lists Israel Among Violators Neglecting Child Safety in Conflict

Israel called the decision "shameful," and the UN announced on Friday that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has placed Israel on a global list of violators who neglect to safeguard children during war.

The UN Secretary General's report on Children and Armed Conflict includes a list of nations and armed organizations that have not taken sufficient steps to protect children during conflict. Gilad Erdan, Israel's permanent representative to the UN, said he has been informed that Israel's military will be added to this list.

Mr. Erdan called the judgment disgraceful and expressed his profound astonishment and contempt for it. He reaffirmed his conviction that the Israeli army is the moralist in the world and denounced the move as unethical, claiming that it does nothing more than encourage terrorism and benefit Hamas.

Since the Israel-Gaza conflict started, more than 36,600 people—including more than 15,000 children—have died and more than 83,000 have been injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

After Hamas-led terrorists attacked Israeli towns on October 7, killing over 1,200 people and kidnapping 250 more, Israel initiated attacks and a military offensive in Gaza.

On June 18, Mr. Guterres' yearly report on children and armed conflict will be released. By uploading a video of himself discovering the decision, Mr. Erdan gave the report a head start.

The addition of Israel to the list has been confirmed by Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for Mr. Guterres.

Mr. Dujarric told reporters that Courtenay Rattray, the chief of staff, had paid Gilad Erdan, Israel's permanent envoy, a courtesy call earlier in the day. He clarified that in order to give them prior notice and stop leaks, such calls are standard procedure for newly listed nations in the report's annex.

"The Security Council requests the publication of this report each year. This mechanism was established by the Security Council. Its foundation is a straightforward and well-established technique."

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the decision, claiming that it essentially put the UN in the camp of those who aid Hamas killers.

According to a spokeswoman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the decision to include Israel on a global list of offenders is "a step closer to holding Israel accountable for its crimes" (Reuters).

The study draws attention to abuses of children's rights in about 20 conflict areas. The list was updated with Russia's military and affiliated armed groups last year.