A United Nations independent commission of inquiry has concluded that Israel deliberately targeted and killed Palestinian children in Gaza, constituting acts of genocide. The report, released by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, examined violations against Palestinian children since the onset of the war in Gaza. It found that approximately 30% of those killed by Israeli forces were children.
Key Findings of the UN Report
The commission's chair, Srinivasan Muralidhar, stated: “The evidence shows that Palestinian children have been deliberately targeted and killed by the Israeli security forces.” The report noted that these killings continued even after a ceasefire took effect in October 2025. A previous commission report in September had already found Israel guilty of genocide in Gaza, implicating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials. Netanyahu is separately wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes.
Israel's Response
The Israeli mission in Geneva rejected the commission's findings, calling them a “libellous sham.” Israel has consistently denied allegations of genocide and has received critical diplomatic support from allies, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
Broader Consensus on Genocide
A significant body of research supports the conclusion that Israel intends to destroy Palestinians. This includes analyses by UN investigators, human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and genocide scholars worldwide.
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