The United Nations has added the Israeli military to its annual "list of shame" for entities responsible for grave violations against children in conflict zones. This decision was officially communicated to Israel's UN ambassador, Gilad Erdan, by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
The inclusion of Israel on this list is detailed in the UN's annual report on children and armed conflict, which documents violations such as killing and maiming, sexual violence, abduction, recruitment of child soldiers, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access.
This announcement comes amidst ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli military operations since October 7, 2023, have led to severe casualties. The Palestinian authorities in Gaza report that these attacks have resulted in the deaths of 36,731 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, with over 15,517 children among the casualties. Additionally, more than 17,000 children have lost one or both parents, and approximately 3,500 children are suffering from malnutrition due to the ongoing hostilities.
Broader Regional Impact
Recent events in West Asia have further highlighted the intensifying conflict and international reactions. Among these events:
- Bombing of a Refugee Shelter: A school sheltering Palestinian refugees was bombed using American-made munitions, according to CNN.
- International Labor Conference Walkout: Representatives from multiple countries exited the hall during the Israeli delegate's speech at the International Labor Conference, reported Al Alam.
- Joint Operations Against Israel: The Yemeni Armed Forces and Iraqi Resistance forces executed joint operations targeting the Israeli port of Haifa, as announced by Yemeni spokesman Yahya al-Sari via AP.
- Syrian Offensive Against ISIL: The Syrian army, supported by Russian airstrikes, launched an offensive in Deir Zor province to eradicate remaining ISIL members, reported by Sputnik.
- Mass Protests in Yemen: Multi-million marches occurred in Yemen, with demonstrators voicing their support for Gaza and pledging continued resistance against Israeli actions.
- Arab National Congress Commendation: At a meeting in Beirut, the Arab National Congress lauded Iran's support for Palestinian resistance and recognized the significant impact of the "Al-Aqsa Storm" operation on the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Emotional Reactions
The gravity of the situation was underscored by the emotional response of Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who shed tears while describing the suffering of Gaza’s mothers and children, according to AP.
The ongoing conflict and the recent inclusion of Israel on the UN's "list of shame" underscore the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the broader regional tensions. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, calling for measures to protect children and ensure their safety in conflict zones.
