UN: Over 100 Children Killed in Gaza Since Ceasefire

UN reports at least 100 children killed in Gaza since ceasefire.

Photo by khalid kwaik

The UN reports that at least 100 children have been killed in Gaza since the start of a ceasefire three months ago. UNICEF stated that at least 60 boys and 40 girls have died in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory since early October. UNICEF spokesperson James Elder described the situation in Gaza City, noting that children are killed daily by air strikes, drone strikes, tank shelling, live ammunition, and quadcopters. The true number of child casualties is likely higher.

Key Facts

Gaza: At least 100 children killed since ceasefire

UNICEF: 60 boys, 40 girls killed in Gaza since October

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper 2: International Relations, Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests

Human Rights issues, International Humanitarian Law

Potential for questions on UN's role, ICC jurisdiction, and geopolitical implications

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Background

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a long-standing dispute with roots in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily driven by competing national aspirations over the same territory. The Zionist movement, aiming to establish a Jewish homeland, gained momentum, leading to increased Jewish immigration to Palestine, then under Ottoman and later British control. The Balfour Declaration of 1917, expressing British support for a Jewish homeland, further fueled tensions.

Following World War II and the Holocaust, the United Nations proposed a partition plan in 1947, dividing Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. This plan was accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by Arab leaders, leading to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the establishment of the State of Israel. This war resulted in the displacement of a large number of Palestinians, known as the 'Nakba' or catastrophe, and the ongoing refugee crisis.

Latest Developments

In recent years, the conflict has seen cycles of escalation, often triggered by events in Jerusalem, particularly around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the ongoing blockade of Gaza. The Abraham Accords, brokered by the US in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, but did little to address the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened an investigation into alleged war crimes in the Palestinian territories, a move opposed by Israel and the United States.

Looking ahead, a lasting resolution remains elusive, with deep divisions over key issues such as borders, settlements, the status of Jerusalem, and the right of return for Palestinian refugees. The role of international actors, including the US, the EU, and the UN, remains crucial in mediating and seeking a peaceful settlement.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC): 1. The ICC has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression. 2. The ICC's jurisdiction is universal, meaning it can investigate and prosecute crimes committed by any individual, regardless of nationality or where the crime occurred. 3. The Rome Statute established the ICC. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.1 and 3 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 2 is incorrect. The ICC's jurisdiction is not universal. It can only exercise jurisdiction in certain circumstances, such as when the crime occurred in the territory of a State Party, or when the individual accused is a national of a State Party, or when the UN Security Council refers a situation to the ICC.

2. In the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, what is the significance of the 'Right of Return'?

A.The right of all Israelis to return to their ancestral lands.
B.The right of all Palestinians displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and subsequent conflicts, and their descendants, to return to their homes.
C.The right of all Jewish people worldwide to immigrate to Israel.
D.The right of all Arab nations to reclaim territory lost to Israel.

Show Answer

Answer: B

The 'Right of Return' is a key issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, referring to the demand by Palestinians that refugees displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and subsequent conflicts, and their descendants, should be allowed to return to their homes in what is now Israel. This is a major point of contention as Israel rejects this right, fearing it would alter the demographic balance of the country.

3. Which of the following UN agencies is primarily responsible for providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees?

A.UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
B.UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)
C.UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East)
D.WFP (World Food Programme)

Show Answer

Answer: C

UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) is the UN agency specifically mandated to provide assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees registered in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.