Image Credit: Al Jazeera
Since October 7, the violence inflicted on Palestinian children by Israeli military forces in the occupied West Bank has surged significantly, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This increase follows a series of events beginning with the Hamas attack on southern Israel and Israel’s subsequent military actions in Gaza.
The recent figures are alarming: 115 Palestinian children have been killed by Israeli gunfire since October 7, a stark rise compared to the 39 children killed in the preceding 10 months. Additionally, the number of wounded children has doubled during the same period. OCHA reports that 1,411 children have been injured by Israeli ammunition since October 7, a sharp increase from the 615 injured in the previous months.
The UN also highlights a troubling escalation in violence from Israeli settlers. Since October, there have been 1,250 recorded attacks by settlers against Palestinians. Among these, approximately 120 attacks resulted in deaths or injuries to Palestinians. A particularly brutal incident on August 12 involved Israeli settlers abducting two 15-year-old shepherds. The settlers reportedly assaulted the boys, breaking their legs, and subjected them to degrading treatment before abandoning them in an open area where they were eventually found.
The sharp rise in violence against Palestinian children and the increased attacks by settlers underscores the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the occupied West Bank. The UN’s ongoing documentation of these incidents reflects growing concerns over the protection of civilians in the region.
Updated statistics continue to reveal the severe impact of the ongoing conflict, with casualties mounting amid escalating hostilities. The international community remains focused on addressing the humanitarian crisis and seeking ways to mitigate further suffering.