25% rise in violence against children in conflict zones in 2024; Gaza tops list: UN report
Violence against children trapped in armed conflicts reached 'unprecedented levels' in 2024, with a staggering 25% surge in grave violations compared to the previous year, according to a United Nations report released Thursday. UN Secretary-General António Guterres' annual report on Children in Armed Conflict points towards escalating brutality in conflict zones.
'Children bore the brunt of relentless hostilities and indiscriminate attacks,' Guterres said, citing the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and the systematic exploitation of children for combat roles.
The report confirmed 41,370 grave violations against minors — 36,221 committed in 2024 and 5,149 from earlier years that were verified during the year. These violations include killing, maiming, child recruitment, abduction, sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, and denial of humanitarian aid.
The occupied Palestinian territories saw the highest number of verified violations.
The UN attributed 7,188 grave violations to Israeli forces, including the killing of 1,259 Palestinian children and injuries to 941 others in Gaza.
'I am appalled by the intensity of grave violations against children in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel,' Guterres said, urging Israel to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians.
Amid calls for accountability, the UN kept Israeli forces on its blacklist for a second consecutive year. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, responsible for the October 7, 2023, attacks that triggered the current conflict, also remained on the list, reported AP.
Aside from Gaza, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Nigeria, and Haiti were among the worst-hit regions:
The UN also continued to list Russian forces and affiliated armed groups for grave violations in Ukraine.
Guterres expressed alarm at 1,914 violations affecting 673 Ukrainian children in 2024, including the killing of 94 children, injury to 577, and attacks on 559 schools and 303 hospitals.
Virginia Gamba, the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict said: 'The cries of 22,495 innocent children who should be learning to read or play ball — but instead have been forced to learn how to survive gunfire and bombings — should keep all of us awake at night.'
(With inputs from AP)
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