A team of independent experts appointed by the United Nations has levelled serious accusations against Israel, claiming that the state has deliberately targeted children during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The experts have reiterated allegations that Israel has committed acts of genocide in the region. These claims were detailed in a report released on June 24, 2026, by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory under the UN Human Rights Council.

The report reveals that approximately 30 per cent of the more than 20,000 Palestinians killed between October 2023 and October 2025 were children. This staggering figure has raised concerns regarding the humanitarian impact of the conflict, particularly on the younger population. The commission noted that many other children are reportedly missing or buried in unmarked graves.

Chair of the commission, Srinivasan Muralidhar, stated that even post the October 2025 ceasefire, there have been continuous reports of children being killed and seriously injured due to actions undertaken by Israeli forces. Muralidhar emphasised that the conduct of the conflict significantly undermines the legal protections afforded to children under international law.

Specific Findings on Military Actions

The commission’s report identified particular divisions within the Israeli military that were active in areas heavily populated by children. The findings indicated that weapons used included quadcopter drones and sniper rifles, with reports from medical professionals suggesting that the precision in targeting indicates deliberate actions rather than collateral damage.

In several documented cases, children were reportedly killed while performing everyday tasks, such as gathering firewood in proximity to areas marked by Israeli military control. The report highlights that Israeli security forces have attempted to reframe the narrative by labelling deceased children as suspects, thereby diverting accountability away from the actions of the military.

The commission characterised the ongoing situation as tantamount to war crimes and reiterated prior conclusions made in September regarding Israel’s responsibility for the deaths of children. The implications of these findings signal a pressing need for accountability in the conflict.

Israel’s Response and Ongoing Conflict

In response to the allegations, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has vehemently rejected the claims made in the report, dubbing it a “libelous sham.” The Ministry has argued that the report lacks verification and described the commission as a biased entity aimed at vilifying Israel rather than pursuing the truth of the situation.

Israel continues to assert that it has taken necessary precautions to minimise civilian casualties during its military operations. However, the ongoing military actions, which began following a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, have resulted in significant casualties. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the conflict has claimed over 73,000 Palestinian lives, raising alarm regarding the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the ongoing violence.

The Health Ministry, which functions under the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed records of casualties that are generally considered reliable by independent experts and UN agencies. However, the ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its reporting, complicating the international community’s understanding of the conflict’s toll.

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