The United Nations (UN) has added Israel to its list of countries and groups that have committed grave violations against children in armed conflict.
This decision was announced by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through his spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Friday June 7 during a press briefing.
Dujarric said that that Guterres had earlier called the Israeli ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, to inform him that Israel would be include in this year’s list.
“The call was a courtesy afforded to countries that are newly listed to give countries a heads-up and avoid leaks,” said Dujarric.
This move comes after eight months of conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 15,500 children, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
Additionally, it was announced that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, would also be included in the annual report for its kidnapping and killing of children during its 7th October attack on Israel.
Details of the Report & List
The annual report compiles a list of parties believed to be engaging in violations against children and presents to the UN Security Council.
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It covers grave violations such as the killing, maiming, sexual abuse, abduction or recruitment of children, denial of aid access and targeting of schools and hospitals.
Additionally, the list, which is attached to the report, aims to name and shame the parties for the violation of humanitarian rights.
The decision has been met with strong reactions from both sides of the Gaza conflict, with Palestinian authorities noting that the decision was a step closer to holding Israel accountable for its alleged crimes.
Israel Responds to the UN Decision
Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan expressed outrage over the decision, labeling the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as “the most moral army in the world”
He also accused Guterres of rewarding terrorists and incentivizing their use of children for terrorist acts.
“I am utterly shocked and disgusted by this shameful decision of the secretary-general,” said Erdan.
“Israel’s army is the most moral army in the world, so this immoral decision will only aid the terrorists and reward Hamas.”
Israel’s relationship with the UN
The news of Israel’s listing has further strained an already deteriorating relationship between it and the United Nations.
UN experts and officials have called out the nation over their restrictions on deliveries of food, water, medicine and other critical supplies, which has created a humanitarian crisis within the Gaza strip.
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Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, issued a statement expressing his disapproval over the UN’s decision.
“The UN put itself today on history’s blacklist when it adopted the absurd claims of Hamas. The IDF is the most moral military in the world and no “flat earth” decision by the UN secretary general can change that,” said Netanyahu.
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