[News] 250% Increase in Children Killed in West Bank Since October 7

[Anti-Imperialist News]

palestinechronicle.com
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/250-increase-in-children-killed-in-west-bank-since-october-7-unicef/>
‘250% Increase in Children Killed in West Bank Since October 7’ - UNICEFJuly
22, 2024
------------------------------
Palestinian children arrested by Israeli occupation soldiers in the West
Bank. (Photo: WAFA, file)

*By Palestine Chronicle Staff
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/writers/palestine-chronicle-staff>*

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has recorded a 250% increase in
the number of Palestinian children killed in the occupied West Bank since
October last year.

“A total of 143 Palestinian children have been killed in the West Bank,
including East Jerusalem, since October last year, a spike of nearly 250
per cent compared to the preceding nine months, during which 41 Palestinian
children were killed,” UNICEF said in a statement on Monday. Two Israeli
children were killed during the same period.

Additionally, more than 440 Palestinian children have been injured with
live ammunition, the organization said, adding that the figures raise
serious alarm around unnecessary and excessive use of force
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/west-bank-violence-illegal-armed-settlers-attack-palestinian-towns/>
against the most vulnerable.

“For years now, children living in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem,
have been exposed to horrific violence,” said UNICEF Executive Director
Catherine Russell, adding that the situation “has deteriorated
significantly, coinciding with the escalation of hostilities inside Gaza.”

She emphasized: “We are seeing frequent allegations of Palestinian children
being detained on their way home from school, or shot while walking on the
streets. The violence needs to stop now.”
Increased Military Operations

The casualties have been reported in 10 out of 11 governorates in the West
Bank, with more than half of the killings taking place in Jenin, Tulkarm,
and Nablus.

These areas “have seen an increase in large and militarized law enforcement
operations
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/israels-continued-occupation-of-palestinian-territory-unlawful-icj/>
over the past two years, indicating a shift in intensity and scope,”
according to UNICEF.

The organization noted that the increasing tensions in the West Bank,
including East Jerusalem, were also impacting “the physical and mental
well-being” of thousands of children and families, “who are now living in
daily fear for their lives.”

Children report being scared to walk around their neighbourhoods or to
travel to school.

“The true cost
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/the-opposite-of-hope-unicef-spokesman-says-war-in-gaza-is-a-war-on-children/>
of the violence in the State of Palestine and Israel will be measured in
children’s lives—those lost and those forever changed by it,” said Russell.
“What the children desperately need is an end to violence and a lasting
political solution to the crisis, so that they can reach their fullest
potential in peace and safety.”

Before October 7, children in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem,
“were already exposed to the highest levels of violence
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/west-bank-violence-white-house-considers-sanctions-on-israeli-ministers/>
in 20 years, with 41 Palestinian children and 6 Israeli children killed in
the first 9 months of last year.”

UNICEF said they have also been heavily affected by movement and access
restrictions that disrupted their daily lives.

*(The Palestine Chronicle)*


(The Palestine Chronicle is a registered
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/about/> 501(c)3 organization, thus, all
donations are tax deductible.)
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