The United Nations has revealed that violence against children in areas affected by conflict reached an all-time high in 2024, the worst since the UN began monitoring the issue nearly 30 years ago. According to the Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, there was a significant 25% increase in grave violations against children compared to 2023. The report confirmed 41,370 grave violations, with 36,221 occurring in 2024 and 5,149 verified in 2024, surpassing the previous high. The report highlighted that over 4,500 children were killed and 7,000 injured, with a notable increase in the number of child victims experiencing multiple violations, reaching 22,495. The report covered violations against children under 18 in around 20 conflict zones worldwide. The Palestinian territories had the highest number of serious violations, with the majority attributed to Israeli forces, including those in the Gaza Strip. The UN is in the process of verifying information about an additional 4,470 children killed in Gaza in 2024. The report also addressed the impact of Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, where more than 500 children were killed or injured last year.
