Violence against children in conflict-affected regions surged to unprecedented levels in 2024, according to the United Nations, marking the worst figures since the organization began monitoring nearly three decades ago. The Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict revealed a 25% increase in grave violations compared to 2023. The report documented 41,370 grave violations, with 36,221 occurring in 2024 and 5,149 previously but verified in 2024, surpassing the previous record set in 2023. The report highlighted that over 4,500 children were killed and 7,000 injured, with a significant rise in the number of child victims of multiple violations, reaching 22,495. The report covered violations in approximately 20 conflict zones globally. The Palestinian territories recorded the highest number of serious violations, with the majority attributed to Israeli forces, particularly in the Gaza Strip. The UN is verifying information on an additional 4,470 children killed in Gaza in 2024. The report also noted Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, where more than 500 children were killed or injured last year.
