UN Accusations Against Israel
UN Inquiry Alleges Israeli Forces Deliberately Targeted Palestinian Children, Citing Genocidal Intent in Gaza
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Key Points
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The Pillay Commission conference room paper outlines its mandate to "collect, consolidate and analyse evidence" to maximise admissibility in potential legal proceedings before bodies like the ICC or ICJ, and highlights the need for evidence to be reliable and corroborated, while also noting concerns about bias and reliance on witness testimony that can be hard to independently verify.
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The UN-led inquiry had previously determined in September that Israel had committed genocide in the Gaza war, with the latest follow-up saying there are "reasonable grounds" to conclude the genocide has continued, a finding Israel described as defamatory.
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The inquiry tallies a staggering toll on children: at least 20,179 Palestinian children were killed between Oct 7, 2023 and Oct 7, 2025, making up about 30% of Gaza’s total fatalities over that period and signaling the scope of the impact on minors.
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In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the commission documents increased violence against Palestinian children during arrests and detention, with reports of torture and mistreatment, expanding the alleged pattern beyond Gaza proper.
A United Nations inquiry has found that Israel deliberately targeted Palestinian children in Gaza, calling it genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The Globe and Mail reported the findings, which cover the period from October 7, 2023 through mid-2026. At least 20,179 Palestinian children were killed in the first two years of the conflict alone — roughly 30% of all Gaza fatalities, according to the commission.
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Navi Pillay, said there are "reasonable grounds" to conclude that genocide is ongoing. Israel called the findings "defamatory" and rejected the inquiry as a sham, according to 24 News HD.
Child Deaths Cited as Evidence of Genocidal Intent
The Pillay Commission named the deliberate killing of children as a central factor proving genocidal intent. Investigators said Israeli forces used high-impact munitions — including 2,000-pound bombs — in densely populated neighborhoods like Jabalia and Rafah. The commission argued this signaled intentional targeting, not accidental harm, according to South China Morning Post.
The inquiry also pointed to the destruction of children's infrastructure. About 85% of Gaza's schools have been damaged or destroyed. An estimated 625,000 students have no access to education as of 2026. The commission said these conditions were aimed at preventing future Palestinian generations from surviving, according to Geo.tv.
UN First Called It Genocide in September 2025
The commission first declared Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide in September 2025. That ruling cited the "total siege" policy Israel enacted in late 2023, which investigators said created conditions designed to destroy the population. The latest follow-up report, issued in June 2026, confirmed genocide was still ongoing, according to Head Topics.
The shift from "war crimes" to "genocide" marks a significant escalation in UN findings. It is the first time a UN body has made this determination about Israeli military operations. The commission also highlighted public statements by Israeli officials — including referring to Gazans as "human animals" — as evidence of destructive intent.
West Bank Children Face Detention and Torture Reports
The inquiry did not stop at Gaza. In the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, the commission documented a surge in violence against Palestinian children during arrests. Over 1,500 Palestinian minors have been detained since October 2023. Reports of torture or mistreatment were recorded in 95% of those cases, according to Defense for Children International - Palestine data cited in the inquiry.
The commission said this expanding pattern of harm beyond Gaza strengthened its broader findings. It described the West Bank detentions as part of a systematic approach, not isolated incidents. South China Morning Post noted the inquiry characterized these actions as crimes against humanity.
Israel Rejects Findings; UN Prepares Evidence for Court
Israel's government dismissed the inquiry as biased and pre-determined. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called similar UN probes "antisemitic." The Israeli Defense Forces argue that Hamas embeds fighters in civilian areas, using hospitals and schools for military purposes, making civilian casualties an unavoidable result of targeting terrorist infrastructure, according to Geo.tv.
Despite Israel's rejection, the commission is moving its findings toward international courts. A conference room paper released in March 2026 was designed to "maximize admissibility" of evidence at the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice. The ICJ had already ordered Israel in January 2024 to prevent acts of genocide. An estimated 25,000 children have been orphaned since the conflict began, according to UNICEF data cited in the inquiry.
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