The United Nations' 2025 "Children and Armed Conflict" report reveals a significant increase in severe violations against children. The report states that in 2025, these violations rose by 34% compared to the previous year, with a total of 38,558 severe violations recorded.
According to the 47-page report, 12,436 violations were confirmed in the occupied Palestinian territories, and 9 severe violations in Israel. The areas with the highest concentration of violations included the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
Situation in Gaza and the West Bank
The report notes that 5,452 severe violations were identified in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and 6,984 in the Gaza Strip. The document lists categories such as killing and maiming, forced recruitment and use of children as soldiers, abduction, rape and other forms of sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, and obstruction of humanitarian aid access.
United Nations data indicates that the Israeli military was involved in 9,465 severe violations in 2025. Additionally, 326 severe violations were confirmed to have been committed by Israelis attempting to seize Palestinian lands.
The report states that Israeli forces detained 981 Palestinian children, of whom 973 were boys and 8 were girls. It was reported that 180 of these children were held without any charges or trial, and 66 children reported experiencing physical violence and ill-treatment while in detention.
The document also notes that one Palestinian child died in detention, and the United Nations confirmed that Israeli forces used three children as human shields in Gaza and the West Bank.
Strong Statement from Guterres
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed horror at the severe violations against children in the occupied Palestinian territories in his assessment of the report. He voiced deep concern over the widespread use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas.
Guterres also stated he was shaken by the ongoing violations in the Gaza Strip and worried about the escalating violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. He expressed serious concern over the increase in child deaths and injuries, as well as attacks on schools, hospitals, ambulances, and the obstruction of humanitarian aid.
Forces Highlighted as Main Perpetrators for the First Time
A senior UN official speaking about the report said that government forces were listed among the main parties responsible for severe violations against children for the first time in 30 years. The official noted that the Israeli military and Israeli security forces topped the list.
The same official explained that the situation has worsened due to the increased use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas and the growing deployment of artificial intelligence in targeted operations.
