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UNICEF: 13 Children Killed in the West Bank Since Year Began
Basel Abu al-Wafa's (14) funeral. (Photo: Dave Bull)
According to UNICEF, 13 Palestinian children have been killed in the West Bank since the beginning of 2025.
Seven of these deaths occurred after 19 Jan 2025, following a large-scale military operation in the north of the territory. Among the casualties was a two-year-old whose pregnant mother was also injured in the shooting.
The numbers reflect a worrying trend. Since 7 Oct 2023, 195 Palestinian children and three Israeli children have been killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
“There has been a 200 per cent increase in the number of Palestinian children killed in the territory over the past 16 months as compared to the 16 months prior,” Mr. Beigbeder explained.
Seven of these deaths occurred after 19 Jan 2025, following a large-scale military operation in the north of the territory. Among the casualties was a two-year-old whose pregnant mother was also injured in the shooting.
The numbers reflect a worrying trend. Since 7 Oct 2023, 195 Palestinian children and three Israeli children have been killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
“There has been a 200 per cent increase in the number of Palestinian children killed in the territory over the past 16 months as compared to the 16 months prior,” Mr. Beigbeder explained.
A young girl runs through the rubble of damaged buildings after an Israeli military raid at Nur Shams refugee camp, in the West Bank in Aug 2024. (Photo: © UNICEF/Alaa Badarneh)
The humanitarian situation has worsened in areas such as Jenin, Tulkarem and Tubas Governorates, where airstrikes, demolitions and the use of explosive weapons have severely damaged essential infrastructure.
Many communities, particularly in refugee camps, have been cut off from basic services, with water and electricity supplies disrupted.
Thousands of families have been displaced due to military operations, including in Jenin, Nur Shams, Tulkarem and al-Faraa Camps.
The deteriorating security situation has made daily life increasingly difficult, particularly for children.
Many communities, particularly in refugee camps, have been cut off from basic services, with water and electricity supplies disrupted.
Thousands of families have been displaced due to military operations, including in Jenin, Nur Shams, Tulkarem and al-Faraa Camps.
The deteriorating security situation has made daily life increasingly difficult, particularly for children.
IDF combat veteran Ori Givati.
Ori Givati, a member of the veterans' group Breaking the Silence, said holding Israeli troops accountable means raising "questions that we will not have good answers for if we want to continue the occupation." He also called for international intervention to stop settler violence.
Sources:
https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/02/1160066
https://www.commondreams.org/news/west-bank-children
https://www.breakingthesilence.org.il/
https://www.gpb.org/news/2023/11/16/former-israeli-soldier-calls-for-international-intervention-stop-settler-violence