Israel kills 1 Palestinian child every 2 days in West Bank since October

A report by Defense for Children International Palestine (DCIP) reveals alarming statistics regarding the killing of Palestinian children in the occupied West Bank. Between October 7, 2023, and the end of July 2024, Israeli forces and settlers killed 141 children, which constitutes 20% of all Palestinian children killed in the last 25 years. The report highlights a significant escalation in violence, with most fatalities resulting from live ammunition, often targeting vital areas such as the head or torso. The report also details the systematic obstruction of medical assistance, with Israeli forces blocking paramedics from reaching injured children in 43% of cases. Specific incidents illustrate this brutality, including the killing of a child throwing stones and another shot while walking to school. The report criticizes the lack of accountability for Israeli soldiers involved in these killings, despite clear evidence of unlawful actions. Moreover, the report notes that Israeli officials have withheld the bodies of 18 Palestinian children, further traumatizing their families. One notable case involved a 4-year-old girl shot at an Israeli checkpoint, whose body was held for ten days. Another incident involved the desecration of a 17-year-old boy's body by Israeli forces, highlighting the extreme measures taken against the deceased. The ongoing violence has resulted in at least 692 Palestinian deaths in the West Bank since October, with the current year poised to surpass last year's death toll. This situation raises serious concerns about human rights violations and the treatment of Palestinian children amid the ongoing conflict.