The United Nations has announced that violence against children in conflict zones reached its highest level ever in 2024. This marks the worst period since the UN began its monitoring efforts nearly 30 years ago. The Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict noted a 25% increase in serious violations of children’s rights compared to 2023. The report verified a total of 41,370 grave violations, with 36,221 of these occurring in 2024 and 5,149 previously but verified in 2024. This surpasses the previous record set the year prior. More than 4,500 children were killed and 7,000 were injured, with a significant increase in the number of children experiencing multiple violations, totaling 22,495. The report examines violations in approximately 20 conflict areas worldwide. The Palestinian territories saw the highest number of serious violations, with the majority attributed to Israeli forces, including those in the Gaza Strip. The UN is currently reviewing information about an additional 4,470 children killed in Gaza in 2024. The report also addressed Israeli military actions in Lebanon, where over 500 children were killed or injured in 2024.
2024 Sees Unprecedented Surge in Violence Against Children, UN Reports
By The Chhattisgarh1 Min Read