UN keeps Israel and Hamas off blacklist of children's rights

The United Nations on Monday left Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas off its blacklist of states and armed groups that violate children's rights during conflicts, but criticized Israel over its military operations last year.

UN special envoy for children and armed conflict, Leila Zerrougui, had included Israel's army and Hamas in a draft of the report she had sent to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Ban had final say on the blacklist, which was distributed to Security Council members on Monday.

Ban said in a report circulated on Monday that thousands of Palestinian casualties raise "grave concerns" about Israel's compliance with international law, including requirements that any military actions must distinguish between combatants and civilians, be proportional and avoid excessive use of force.