A United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Israeli authorities and security forces deliberately targeted Palestinian children in the occupied Palestinian territory, alleging that their actions amount to genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The report was presented in Geneva by Justice (Retd.) Srinivasan Muralidhar, Chair of the Commission, along with Commissioners Florence Mumba and Chris Sidoti.
Presenting the Commission’s latest report at a press conference in Geneva on Tuesday, Commission Chair Justice (Retd.) Srinivasan Muralidhar said the 100-page report documents violations committed against Palestinian children between October 7, 2023 and March 31, 2026.
Calling it the first specialised report by a UN investigative body focusing exclusively on crimes against Palestinian children, Muralidhar said the Commission had found “indisputable evidence” of deliberate killings, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, sexual and gender-based violence, and attacks on infrastructure essential to children’s survival, including schools, hospitals and orphanages.
According to the Commission, more than 20,000 Palestinian children were killed and over 44,000 injured between October 7, 2023 and October 7, 2025. It further stated that 58,554 children lost one or both parents, while 97% of schools in Gaza were destroyed, 95% of universities were affected, and 22 of the territory’s 38 universities were completely destroyed. The report also cited 151 child deaths from malnutrition and more than 1,000 child amputations between October and December 2023. Announcing the findings, Justice Muralidhar said:
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“The Commission found indisputable evidence with regards to the deliberate, targeted killing of Palestinian children… Based on all the evidence gathered, the report concludes that the Israeli authorities and the Israeli security forces have deliberately targeted and killed Palestinian children and destroyed their childhood. The report released today further substantiates our findings on genocide.”
The Commission alleged that Israeli authorities were responsible for crimes against humanity, including persecution, and war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and asserted that the targeting of children weakened the Palestinian people’s ability to sustain and exercise their right to self-determination.
The report also criticised Hamas, stating that it had committed grave abuses against Palestinians in Gaza, including campaigns of repression, torture and unlawful killings, taking advantage of the collapse of law and order during the conflict.
Calling for accountability, the Commission urged States to exercise universal jurisdiction, cooperate with the International Criminal Court, halt arms transfers that could facilitate violations of international law, and investigate individuals suspected of crimes against Palestinian children.
Responding to a question on domestic investigations by Israel, Mr Muralidhar said the Commission had not been informed of the outcome of any such inquiries and invited Israeli authorities to disclose them.
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“We would very much like the Israeli authorities to tell us… what investigations they’ve carried out and what are the outcome of those investigations.”
Commissioner Florence Mumba highlighted the methodology adopted by the Commission, stating that the findings were based on nearly two years of investigation involving interviews with victims and witnesses, including children, medical examinations, military and digital forensic analysis, and consultations with independent forensic experts.
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“The Commission found that the continued pattern of conduct by the Israeli security forces over two years in Gaza is intended to destroy the biological continuity and future existence of the Palestinian group… The deliberate targeting of children is one of the key elements establishing specific intent… to destroy the Palestinian group as such, in whole or in part, in Gaza.
Commissioner Chris Sidoti described the report as the most difficult among the Commission’s 17 reports and said:
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“There can be no doubt in anyone who reads today’s report that every international legal norm has been violated by the actions of the Israeli authorities towards Palestinian children, and they need to be held accountable.”
The Commission rejected allegations by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs that its findings were biased or based on unreliable evidence, stating that its investigation relied on witness interviews, medical records, forensic analysis, verified open-source material and digital forensic techniques consistent with international evidentiary standards.