Save the Children Condemns Violence Against Palestinian Children After Three Deaths in One Week

Save the Children added in a press statement that on Wednesday, a 12-year-old boy was killed in Beit Ummar, North of Hebron, after Israeli forces shot him in the chest while he sat in a car with his sister and father, WAFA news agency reported.

Another boy, 17, was also reportedly shot in the back over the weekend in Northwest Ramallah. He died in hospital after four hours of surgery.

Earlier this week, a third teenager died from gunshot wounds he sustained in the neck more than eight weeks ago.

“Three children shot in the chest, neck and back: this is totally unacceptable that any life should be cut short so young. The loss of these children will leave lasting emotional scars on their family and friends. Children have special protection under international law and must be protected from violence at all times,” Jason Lee, Country Director for Save the Children in the occupied Palestinian territory, stated.

He called upon Israeli forces to respect children’s rights and Israel to open an investigation into all instances involving the use of force against children.

“Israeli security forces must fully respect, protect and fulfil the rights of all children and act in accordance with international law. Israel should promptly, transparently and independently investigate all instances of use of force against children,” he noted.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the Israeli military of carrying out attacks that “apparently amount to war crimes” during the recent offensive on the Gaza Strip. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, some 260 people were killed in Gaza, including at least 67 children and 39 women.