Unprecedented Rise in Child Deaths Caused by Explosive Weapons in 2024
A report issued by Save the Children, based on UN data, showed that nearly 12,000 children were killed or injured in conflicts around the world in 2024 — the highest toll since such data began being recorded in 2006 — amid the increased use of explosive weapons in urban areas.
According to the report, the number of child casualties rose by 42% compared to 2020, as explosive weapons — such as missiles, shells, and drones — became the primary cause of these losses. They accounted for more than 70% of all child deaths and injuries last year, compared to an average of 59% during the period from 2020 to 2024.
The report noted that the shift of wars into cities has made children more exposed to direct violence, whereas they previously faced risks stemming from deteriorating health services and malnutrition. It explained that hospitals, schools, and residential areas have turned into frequent targets of strikes, increasing the scale of child casualties.
Naremina Streczyniets from Save the Children said that the data reflects a “deliberate destruction of childhood,” affirming that children are paying the highest price in modern conflicts. Medical experts pointed out that children are more vulnerable to the effects of explosive weapons due to the fragility of their bodies compared to adults.
The report indicated that the deadliest conflict zones for children in 2024 were Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Sudan, Burma, Ukraine, and Syria. It added that the war in Gaza alone has caused the death of around 20,000 children since it erupted in October 2023.
