‘Not a normal war’: doctors say children have been targeted by Israeli snipers in Gaza
GuardianMAR 2024
UN Reports Record Violence Against Children in War Zones
Above: Injured Palestinians, including children, are being taken to the Kuwait Field Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on June 11, 2025. Image copyright: Hani Alshaer/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The unprecedented surge in child casualties reflects the brutal reality of modern warfare, where combatants deliberately target civilian populations. These violations represent systematic war crimes that demand immediate international intervention and accountability. The international community must impose stronger sanctions and enforcement mechanisms to protect innocent children from becoming casualties of adult conflicts.
Narrative B
Military operations in conflict zones face complex challenges where armed groups deliberately use children as human shields and operate from civilian areas, including schools and hospitals. Forces must balance legitimate security objectives with civilian protection while confronting adversaries who exploit international humanitarian law. The verification process often lacks context about the operational environment and tactical constraints faced by military personnel.