A UN Commission report has found that 73 Palestinian children were shot in the head by Israeli forces, according to an Al Jazeera report on 2 July that has put the issue of civilian harm in Gaza back under scrutiny. The broadcaster used the phrase 'collateral damage' in its coverage of the findings, drawing attention both to the scale of child casualties and to the language being used to describe them.
Israel has 'utterly rejected' the commission's findings. Its foreign ministry called the report 'deeply flawed,' 'libellous' and a 'propaganda piece,' arguing that the commission lacks 'any credible verification mechanism for its claims.' Israel maintains that its military operations are directed at armed groups and conducted in accordance with international law, and has accused Hamas of a 'cynical' strategy of using Palestinian children as human shields.
