Genocide Finding: UN Says Israel 'Deliberately' Killed 20,000+ Children in Gaza
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
Chaired by former Indian High Court Chief Justice S. Muralidhar, the Commission's first dedicated report on Palestinian children documents mass killings, starvation, amputations and the destruction of Gaza's education system.
By Mahima Katal
New Delhi, June 24: The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has concluded that Israeli authorities and security forces deliberately targeted and killed Palestinian children and committed crimes against humanity in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Presenting the Commission's latest report on Tuesday, Chair Dr. S. Muralidhar — former Chief Justice of a High Court and currently a Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India — described the findings as based on "indisputable evidence" of widespread and systematic attacks on Palestinian children.
The 100-page report examines violations against Palestinian children between October 7, 2023 and March 31, 2026, making it the first specialised UN investigative report focused exclusively on the impact of the conflict on children.
More Than 20,000 Children Killed
According to the Commission, more than 20,000 Palestinian children have been killed and over 44,000 injured during the reporting period. Children account for nearly 30 per cent of all recorded deaths in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The report states that children were killed through airstrikes using high-yield explosives as well as targeted attacks involving quadcopter drones, sniper fire and other weapons. Investigators documented repeated cases in which children were struck in the head or upper body.
"There has been a widespread and systematic killing and harming of children," Muralidhar said while presenting the findings.
The report further records that more than 1,000 children underwent amputations between October and December 2023 alone. As of October 1, 2025, at least 151 child deaths linked to malnutrition had also been documented.
Growing Orphan Crisis
The Commission highlighted what it described as an unprecedented orphan crisis in Gaza. An estimated 58,054 children lost one or both parents between October 2023 and October 2025.
Investigators also examined the destruction of the education system, concluding that attacks on schools and universities had severely undermined the intellectual and social foundations of Palestinian society.
According to the report, 97 per cent of schools in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, while 95 per cent of universities have been affected. Twenty-two of Gaza's 38 universities were reported to have been completely destroyed.
Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide Findings
Based on the evidence collected, the Commission concluded that Israeli authorities and security forces are responsible for crimes against humanity, including persecution, as well as multiple war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank."The report released today further substantiates our finding on genocide," Muralidhar stated.
The Commission found that attacks on children were not merely incidental consequences of military operations but formed part of a broader pattern that weakened the demographic vitality of Palestinians and undermined their right to self-determination. By targeting children, the report argues, Israel was damaging the long-term ability of Palestinian society to sustain itself and exercise that right.
West Bank: Settler Violence Linked to State Policy
Beyond Gaza, the Commission examined violence in the West Bank and concluded that attacks carried out by Israeli settlers function as a mechanism for implementing state policies aimed at unlawful territorial expansion.
According to the report, Israeli authorities and violent settler groups were acting toward a common objective, with settler violence serving as a tool of displacement and control.
Hamas Violations Also Documented
The Commission reiterated findings from its June 15, 2026 report that Hamas committed serious abuses against Palestinians in Gaza, including torture, repression and unlawful killings.
Investigators found that Hamas exploited the collapse of law and order during the conflict to carry out violations against Palestinian civilians.
Conditions in Gaza Remain Dire
Rejecting suggestions that conditions had significantly improved after the October 2025 ceasefire, Muralidhar said Palestinians continued to face killings, injuries and severe humanitarian deprivation.
The Commission noted that humanitarian assistance entering Gaza remains far below required levels and warned that the population continues to face grave risks.
It also condemned the treatment of activists detained during the Gaza Flotilla operation, stating that their experiences reinforced earlier findings concerning mistreatment, torture and sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody.
Call for Accountability
The Commission welcomed the launch of judicial investigations in several countries relating to events in Gaza and expressed hope that member states, the UN Security Council and other international bodies would act on its recommendations.
Muralidhar said the Commission would continue pursuing accountability efforts aimed at ending impunity and ensuring both state responsibility and individual criminal and command responsibility for violations of international law.
The Commission of Inquiry is chaired by Dr. S. Muralidhar of India and includes Florence Mumba of Zambia and Chris Sidoti of Australia as members. Muralidhar assumed the chairmanship in November 2025.
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