• UN report accuses Israel of targeting Palestinian children, indicating genocidal intent.
• The report claims over 20,000 Palestinians, including 30% children, were killed since 2023.
• Specific military units are named as responsible for the targeting of children in Gaza.
• Continued violence against children persisted after a ceasefire took effect in October 2025.
• The report calls for investigations and accountability for those responsible for these wartime actions.

The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry has released a report asserting that Israeli forces have systematically targeted Palestinian children in Gaza as part of a broader genocidal campaign. The report indicates that military operations between October 2023 and October 2025 killed at least 20,179 children, which constitutes approximately 30% of all Palestinian casualties, underscoring a pattern of violence particularly directed at the youth, with many suffering from severe physical and mental injuries, and some subjected to torture, according to Indiatimes, Indiatimes, Los Angeles Times, and Middle East Eye.

The commission's findings point to a consistent pattern of lethal engagements, with children being shot by Israeli snipers and drones. Notably, more than 5,000 children under five were killed during this period, illustrating the extent of the tragedy affecting the youngest members of Gaza's population. The report highlights that “even after the October 2025 ceasefire, children continue to be killed,” indicating a sustained disregard for international law regarding the protection of children in conflict zones, as quoted from Justice S. Muralidhar, the commission's chair, according to Indiatimes, Indiatimes, and Los Angeles Times.

The report documents harrowing instances where military operations directly targeted children at food distribution sites and during routine activities. Evidence suggests a deliberate strategy, where children are framed as “terrorists” or threats, thereby deflecting responsibility for their deaths onto the victims themselves. Testimonies from medical professionals confirm that many children were treated for gunshot wounds, often aimed precisely at vital areas, indicating a targeted assault rather than collateral damage, according to Middle East Eye, Indiatimes, and Los Angeles Times.

The findings have drawn widespread condemnation, with calls for accountability directed at specific Israeli military units implicated in the violence against children. The commission has urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to prioritize investigations into these allegations of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It states that the targeted attacks not only infringe upon the immediate safety of children but also threaten the long-term survival and continuity of the Palestinian population, as their future generations are systematically undermined by these ongoing operations, according to Indiatimes, Los Angeles Times, and Middle East Eye.