UN inquiry says Israel deliberately targeted Gaza children

Tuesday, June 23, 2026Developing

World Desk

What we know

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory released a report Tuesday concluding that Israeli authorities and security forces deliberately targeted Palestinian children, acts it said amounted to genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza, and war crimes in the West Bank.

The commission said children comprised roughly 30% of Gaza fatalities, cited continued killings after the October 2025 ceasefire, and argued that targeting children was a key element establishing genocidal intent. Chair Srinivasan Muralidhar said evidence showed children had been deliberately targeted and killed. Israel’s foreign ministry and Geneva mission rejected the report as a “libellous sham” and propaganda that ignored Hamas, saying Israel strives to minimize harm to children.

What's confirmed

Commission report (A/HRC/62/CRP.2) issued Tuesday: deliberate targeting of Palestinian children; genocide/crimes against humanity/war crimes findings for Gaza; war crimes for West Bank (OHCHR/BBC/The Hindu).
Commission: ~30% of Gaza war dead were children; killings continued after October 2025 ceasefire (BBC/OHCHR).
Chair Muralidhar: children deliberately targeted and killed; calls for Israel to cease violations and end presence in occupied West Bank per ICJ advisory opinion (OHCHR).
Israel: utterly rejects report as libellous sham/propaganda; says every child deserves protection and report ignores Hamas tactics (BBC/The Hindu/ABC Australia).

What's still developing

Any formal responses at the Human Rights Council and follow-on accountability steps recommended by the commission.
How member states weigh the findings against Israel’s detailed rebuttal.

Sources

OHCHR — Israel continues to commit genocide and other atrocity crimes by deliberately targeting Palestinian children link
BBC News — UN commission of inquiry says Israel committing genocide in Gaza by deliberately targeting children link
The Hindu — Israel targeted Gaza children resulting in genocide, UN inquiry says link
ABC News (Australia) — UN inquiry accuses Israel of deliberately targeting and killing Palestinian children link