UN Committee Warns Palestinian Children Face Greater Risks as Aid Groups Scale Back Operations

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has expressed growing concern over the safety and well-being of Palestinian children, warning that the reduction or suspension of work by humanitarian and human rights organizations is leaving many young people increasingly exposed to abuse and rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the West Bank.

In a statement issued on June 23, the committee said that organizations working to support children and families are facing mounting difficulties that have made it increasingly challenging to continue their activities. According to the committee, restrictions, harassment, threats, sanctions, and attacks on the reputation of civil society groups have forced several organizations to reduce or halt their operations.

The committee strongly criticized what it described as recent measures by Israel against human rights defenders and civil society organizations. It said these measures have included military raids, travel restrictions, financial sanctions, threats of arrest, destruction of records, and concerns over secondary sanctions affecting individuals and partners associated with these groups.

According to the statement, such pressures have made it difficult for organizations to operate safely and provide assistance to vulnerable children and families who depend on their support. The committee noted that these organizations have spent more than three decades documenting alleged violations affecting Palestinian children and providing legal and humanitarian assistance, including representation before military occupation courts.

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The UN body warned that the absence or reduced presence of these organizations could weaken protections for children and increase the risk that violations of their rights may continue without accountability. It emphasized that humanitarian and child rights organizations play a critical role in monitoring conditions on the ground and ensuring that affected communities receive support and access to legal protections.

The committee called on Israel to remove restrictions and obstacles facing child rights defenders and humanitarian agencies operating in Gaza and the West Bank. It also urged authorities to ensure that these organizations are able to perform their duties independently and safely.

In addition, the committee appealed to the international community to use available mechanisms to promote accountability regarding actions targeting Palestinian human rights defenders. It stressed the importance of placing the protection and rights of Palestinian children at the center of international efforts.

Despite the challenging conditions and limited resources, the committee acknowledged the continued work of child rights advocates and humanitarian workers who have remained active in dangerous circumstances. It emphasized that those providing support to children and families should receive protection and support rather than face punitive measures.

The statement highlights growing international concerns over the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and underscores the continuing debate surrounding access to aid, accountability, and the protection of civilians, particularly children, amid ongoing tensions in the region.

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