The United Nations on Monday left Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas off its blacklist of states and armed groups who violate children's rights during conflicts, though it sharply criticized Israel over its 2014 military operations.
UN special envoy for children and armed conflict, Leila Zerrougui of Algeria, had included Israel's army and Hamas in the draft of the report she had previously sent to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN sources said. The report went to members of the Security Council on Monday.
Ban had the final say on who was included on the blacklist. UN sources have said that Ban's decision to override Zerrougui's recommendation was highly unusual. However, the text of the report included strong criticism regarding the impact of Israel's 2014 military operations on children.