Michigan – The American Center for Justice (ACJ) has revealed that ongoing Israeli military attacks in Palestinian territories and Lebanon have claimed the lives of over 17,000 children in Gaza and Lebanon, among tens of thousands of civilian casualties. Additionally, nearly 10,000 children have lost at least one limb due to direct targeting of civilians. These devastating figures, released on World Children’s Day, highlight the unrelenting violence against vulnerable populations amid a stark absence of international justice and accountability.

In Gaza, children have been disproportionately affected, with over 17,000 killed out of the 43,000 Palestinian civilians who have perished during 411 days of relentless Israeli bombardment. Around 10,000 children have lost at least one limb, with children accounting for 33% of the total casualties. According to UN reports, 70% of war victims in the past six months have been women and children, underscoring egregious violations of international humanitarian law.

In Lebanon, since hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in October 2023, over 3,000 civilians, including 185 children, have been killed. Another 1,206 children have been injured, many critically, due to continuous attacks. Israeli aggression has displaced over 250,000 people, most seeking shelter in schools and temporary shelters. This forced displacement has gravely disrupted children’s lives, depriving them of education and exposing them to severe risks, including food insecurity and unsafe living conditions.

The ACJ underscores that these ongoing violations against children in Gaza and Lebanon constitute flagrant violations of international law. The 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child obligates states to safeguard children from the impacts of armed conflict. Similarly, the 1949 Geneva Conventions, particularly the Fourth Convention, require warring parties to protect civilians, including children. Under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, intentionally targeting children is a war crime warranting prosecution and accountability.

The ACJ calls on the international community to take immediate and decisive action to protect children in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon. The organization demands the formation of an independent international commission to investigate these crimes, hold perpetrators accountable, and pressure Israel to end its ongoing aggression and uphold its legal obligations.

The ACJ also emphasizes the urgent need for humanitarian and medical aid in affected areas, psychological support for children suffering from war-related trauma, and measures to ensure the safe and dignified return of displaced families to their homes and schools.

The American Center for Justice (ACJ) underscores that protecting children is both a legal and moral obligation for the entire international community. The ongoing perpetration of these crimes without accountability is a grave stain on humanity, highlighting the urgent need for decisive action to end these atrocities and provide children in Gaza and Lebanon with the opportunity to live in dignity and hope for a brighter future.