UN to add Israel, Hamas to the global list of offenders that harm children

Sub: IR

Sec: Int Org

U.N. Secretary-General’s Upcoming Report on Israel and Hamas:

The secretary-general annually makes a global list of states and militias that are menacing children and threatening them.
Parties on the list have ranged from the Kachin Independence Army in Myanmar to — last year — Russia during its war with Ukraine.
Now Israel is set to join them.

Key Points

Both Israel and Hamas are accused of violating children’s rights during their ongoing conflict.
Security Council: The list is sent to the Security Council, where action can be debated, though past actions against listed parties, like Russia, have seen no council intervention due to geopolitical dynamics.
Humanitarian Concerns: U.N. agencies warn of worsening hunger and starvation in Gaza due to the conflict and restrictions on humanitarian aid.
An analysis found a decline in the proportion of women and children killed in Gaza, contrary to public statements by the Gaza Health Ministry. This shift aligns with changes in Israeli battlefield tactics.

Reactions:

Israel’s Response:
- Outrage from Israeli officials, including U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who criticized the U.N. decision.
- Israel argues that the inclusion might embolden Hamas and prolong the conflict.
Palestinian Response:
- Palestinian U.N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour supported the inclusion as a step towards accountability for Israel’s actions against Palestinian children.

Source: TH