UN Report to List Israel and Hamas for Harming Children

The United Nations is set to release its annual report on children and armed conflict, and this year, it will include Israel and Hamas on the list of countries and armed groups that harm children in conflict zones. The decision comes in the wake of the devastating toll the recent war in Gaza has taken on minors, with reports of killings, maiming, and starvation among children. Stéphane Dujarric, the U.N. spokesman, revealed that Israel will be listed in the report, a move that was communicated to the Israeli ambassador to the U.N., Gilad Erdan, in a courtesy call to provide advance notice and prevent leaks. Hamas, the armed group that previously controlled Gaza, will also be named for their abduction and killing of Israeli children during an attack on Israel in October. This development has further strained the already fragile relationship between Israel and the United Nations. In response, Mr. Erdan denounced the decision as "immoral" and accused the U.N. of aiding terrorism and rewarding terrorists. The release of a recording of the phone call by the Israeli ambassador was met with shock and condemnation by Mr. Dujarric, who called it unacceptable behavior. The annual report, prepared by the U.N.'s special representative for children and armed conflict, is mandated by the General Assembly and the Security Council. It will be presented to the Council next Friday and made public on June 18, with a subsequent open debate on its findings. The conflict in Gaza has been particularly brutal for children on both sides. During Hamas's attack in October, children, including toddlers and babies, were kidnapped and held hostage in Gaza. Tragically, many children, as well as women and foreigners, lost their lives in the subsequent violence. Gaza has seen a significant loss of life, with health officials reporting at least 36,000 deaths, a considerable number being women and children. The dire situation has been exacerbated by restrictions on humanitarian aid, leading to famine and starvation among Gaza's children. Majed Bamya, the Palestinian deputy ambassador to the U.N., pointed out that the inclusion of Israel on the list should not come as a surprise given the harm inflicted on Palestinian children. The forthcoming report is expected to shine a spotlight on the grave impact of conflict on children and prompt further discussions on how to protect and support the most vulnerable in war-torn regions.