LPHR Child Rights Annual Report 2023 (additionally covering 1 January
[PDF version available here] LPHR has long-documented systematic and widespread violations of Palestinian children’s human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory. An enormously intensified upsurge in grave violations against and […]
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Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights
[PDF version available here]

LPHR has long-documented systematic and widespread violations of Palestinian children’s human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory. An enormously intensified upsurge in grave violations against and affecting Palestinian children have been inflicted in 2023, and are ongoing into 2024.

Grave violation incidents and patterns are outlined in this Child Rights Annual Report 2023, which additionally covers the opening ten weeks of 2024. An overview immediately below clarifies the scope of exceptionally serious violations against Palestinian children:

As of 12 March 2024, at least 31,184 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023, with at least 12,550 of those killed being children, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health figures. 36 Israeli children have been killed, according to Israeli authorities, the majority on 7 October. LPHR has consistently stated that the scale, speed and specific location of Palestinian civilian casualties raises extreme alarm that Israeli military forces are instituting a targeting policy in Gaza which clearly appears to violate the international humanitarian law principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack, amounting to apparent atrocity crimes.

Children in Gaza are starting to die from malnutrition, dehydration and hunger, according to UN experts. As of 12 March 2024, at least 23 children are reported to have died of starvation and dehydration in Gaza. As the risk of famine rises, according to humanitarian officials, all children under five (335,000 children) are at high risk of severe malnutrition, with serious adverse impacts on their development and right to health. LPHR outlined in a legal briefing on 13 October that the Israeli government’s announcement of a siege policy on Gaza clearly appears to constitute the war crime of starvation against a civilian population.

Children in Gaza have been maimed at a devastating rate. UNICEF reported in December that after ten weeks of conflict around 1,000 children in Gaza had lost one or both of their legs.

UNICEF reported that as of 2 February 2024, at least 17,000 children are estimated to be unaccompanied or separated from their parents in Gaza.

At least 90% of children under five are affected by one or more infectious diseases, and 70% have diarrhoea. Most water and sanitation facilities have been damaged or destroyed or are otherwise non-operational or accessible, according to UN OCHA, putting children at increasing risk of deadly diseases.

144 children were killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank between 1 January 2023- 4 March 2024, the majority shot by Israeli forces using live ammunition, including a two-year-old boy, four-year-old girl and an eight-year-old boy. A report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights published on 13 February 2024 and examining the period between 1 November 2022- 31 October 2023, found that 84 children, 81 boys and three girls, were killed by Israeli security forces in the West Bank. At least 28 were hit above the waist, including 14 in the head, raising concerns that lethal force may have been used intentionally. The UN report found that in the vast majority of cases, use of force by Israeli security forces did not comply with the requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality. LPHR’s Child Rights Bulletins have consistently documented the clearly apparent unlawful use of live ammunition against Palestinian children by Israeli forces with effective impunity.

Four Palestinian children, aged between 11 and 15 years old, were killed when Israeli forces fired a missile from an Apache attack helicopter at a group of Palestinian civilians, most of them children, during a military incursion into Nour Shams refugee camp in the West Bank.

Palestinian children detained by Israeli forces continue to report being subject to physical abuse, strip searches, threats and other ill-treatment. In July 2023, LPHR and Save the Children announced a landmark call for an immediate moratorium on Israeli authorities arresting, detaining and prosecuting Palestinian children, due to severe and pervasive harm being perpetrated against children within Israel’s military detention system.

Two schools were destroyed by Israeli authorities in the West Bank, 140 schools have been destroyed or sustained major damage in Gaza, and access to education has been deprived to 625,000 children in Gaza since 7 October.

In 2023 alone, a total of 1,152 Palestinians, including 575 children, were displaced in the West Bank when Israeli authorities demolished or forced them to demolish their homes citing lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain.

The key incidents and statistics outlined in this bulletin span a range of violation categories: ‘Fatalities’, ‘Injuries’, ‘Settler Violence’, ‘Arrests and Detention’, ‘Interference against Education’, ‘Displacement and Demolitions’. They are collated from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) and local human rights organisations: Defence for Children International-Palestine (DCIP), Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights, Yesh Din, Military Court Watch (MCW) and B’Tselem.

This bulletin outlines the specific rights of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) that apply to the key incidents affecting Palestinian children in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). As the occupying power, Israel has legal responsibilities under international conventions, including the UNCRC, for the safety, welfare, and human rights protection of civilians living in the oPt.

For previous child rights bulletins, please see the Children’s Rights Project page of LPHR’s website.

LPHR gives special thanks to Zaynab Ali and Jude Heneidi of LPHR’s Student Network for their excellent work preparing this bulletin.

FATALITIES

In Gaza, the vast majority of the 31,184 Palestinians reported to have been killed since 7 October 2023 and as of 12 March 2024 are women and children. The number of children killed is at least 12,550. Hundreds of thousands of children are at risk of death from starvation, dehydration and disease. In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, 144 Palestinian children were killed by Israeli forces or settlers between 1 January 2023- 4 March 2024. 36 Israeli children have been killed, according to the Israeli authorities, the majority on 7 October.

Fatality incidents in Gaza:

Since 7 October 2023, UN OCHA has reported on thousands of children being killed and maimed due to and missile strikes against family homes and shelters for internally displaced persons. We are unable to include these incidents in this report due to its sheer scale. The enormity of civilian casualties raises deeply grave concern that Israeli military forces are instituting a targeting policy in Gaza which violates the fundamental international humanitarian law principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack, amounting to clearly apparent atrocity crimes.

UN experts and the Director General of the World Health Organisation report that at least 10 children have died of starvation in Northern Gaza, and there are fears that the figures could be higher in other hospitals. UN OCHA reports that the majority of the population in Gaza’s Middle Area and southern governorates are in extreme hunger.

UN experts report that in January 2024, one in six infants (children under two) in northern Gaza were found to be acutely malnourished, leading to wasting.

UN OCHA reports that on 10 February 2024, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) found the body of a six-year-old girl along with two PRCS workers who had been sent to rescue her after the vehicle she was in was struck and her family killed on 29 January. PRCS attribute the strike on the vehicle to Israeli shelling. Media reports identify the girl as Hind Rajab.

DCIP reports that 12-year-old Dunia Abu Mohsen was recovering from losing her leg in an Israeli airstrike that killed her parents and siblings in Naser Hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, when an Israeli tank-fired shell hit the hospital and struck her in the head on 17 December 2023.

DCIP reports that on 27 January 2023, 10-year-old Nayef Khaled Nayef Al-Odat died of his injuries by an airstrike that struck near Khan Younis, Gaza in August 2022. The missile caused shrapnel injuries to Nayef’s head.

Fatality incidents in the West Bank:

At least 144 Palestinian children were killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank during the reporting period of 1 January 2023- 4 March 2024. DCIP reports that in 2023 alone, Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank shot and killed 121 children, 103 of them with live ammunition, 13 in drone strikes, four children by missiles fired from a U.S.-sourced Apache attack helicopter, and one in an airstrike.

Incidents include:

DCIP reports that on 4 March 2024, 10-year-old Amr Mohammad Ghaleb Najar was shot in the head by Israeli forces during a military incursion into the Palestinian town of Burin. Amr was sitting in the front seat of his father’s car with his younger brother as his father drove through the village of Burin during the daytime. As they entered the village, an soldier fired shots towards their vehicle from a distance of approximately 20 metres, penetrating the front windshield with two bullets, at least one of which struck Amr in the head.

DCIP reports that on 2 March 2024, 13-year-old Mohammad Khaled Taher Zaid was shot in the back by Israeli forces in Jalazoun refugee camp. Mohammad was standing with a friend in front of a UN-run school, near the entrance to Jalazoun refugee camp and the Israeli settlement of Beit El. Israeli forces deployed around 20–40 metres away fired live ammunition at the boys. Mohammad sustained three gunshot wounds to his back and thigh, dying hours later.

DCIP reports that on 2 March 2024, 15-year-old Mohammad Murad Hassan Ghnaim was shot in the head by Israeli forces during a military incursion into the Palestinian town of Kafr Ni’ma. Mohammad and a few other friends stood in front of a shop, awaiting the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the neighbourhood. When news spread that Israeli forces had left the area, Mohammad and the others headed to their car to return home. Reportedly, Israeli forces ambushed them, firing live ammunition from about 30 metres away, striking Mohammad in the head.

DCIP reports that on 29 February 2024, 17-year-old Bashar Nihad Abdulatif Hanani was shot in the back by Israeli forces during a military incursion into the Palestinian town of Beit Furik. Bashar was standing on a wall near a medical centre, allegedly throwing stones towards Israeli soldiers located about 25- 35 metres away. Israeli forces fired live ammunition at Bashar.

DCIP reports that on 22 February 2024, 16-year-old Said Raed Said Jaradat was struck by an Israeli drone-fired missile in Jenin refugee camp. Two Israeli drone-fired missiles struck a car driven by a Palestinian man wanted by Israeli forces, who was also killed in the attack. Said sustained shrapnel wounds all over his body, dying hours later. At least five other children were wounded in the drone strike.

DCIP reports that on 21 February 2024, Israeli forces shot 15-year-old Fadi Said Kamel Suleiman in the back during an Israeli military incursion into the Palestinian town of Azzun. Fadi, while standing on the roof of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society building, is alleged to have thrown stones toward a heavily armoured Israeli military vehicle. An Israeli soldier near the military vehicle shot Fadi from a distance of about 150 metres. After shooting him, Israeli forces prevented anyone from accessing the child for around 30 minutes.

DCIP reports that on 14 February 2024, Israeli forces shot 16-year-old Neehel Ziad Mohammad Bregheith in the head during an Israeli military incursion into the Palestinian town of Beit Ummar. Neehel was shot as he and other students were leaving school for the day amidst intermittent confrontations with Israeli soldiers.

A report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights published on 13 February 2024 and examining the period between 1 November 2022- 31 October 2023, found that 84 children, 81 boys and three girls, were killed by Israeli security forces in the West Bank. At least 28 were hit above the waist, including 14 in the head, raising concerns that lethal force may have been used intentionally. The report found that in the vast majority of cases, use of force by Israeli security forces did not comply with the requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality.

DCIP reports that on 11 February 2024, Israeli paramilitary border police officers shot 15-year-old Mohammad Tariq Salim Abu Sneineh several times from a distance of approximately 10 meters near Al-Wad Street in the old city of Jerusalem. Mohammad allegedly attempted to carry out a stabbing attack when Israeli forces shot him. An Israeli ambulance arrived and treated a lightly injured Israeli settler, while Mohammad, who was reportedly bleeding on the ground, did not receive first aid for approximately ten minutes.

DCIP reports that on 10 February 2024, Israeli forces shot 17-year-old Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour in the head. Israeli forces opened fire on the car that Mohammad, a US citizen, was sitting in with one of his relatives while they were in a natural wooded area near the town of Qattana.

DCIP reports that on 9 February 2024, an Israeli soldier shot 16-year-old Moath Ashraf Faleh Bani Shamsa in the back, outside the boy’s home in the village of Beita, southeast of Nablus. According to information collected by DCIP, Moath allegedly threw a few stones toward Israeli military vehicles withdrawing from Beita near his home, and one vehicle stopped then backed up toward him. Moath tried to run away, but a soldier opened the back door of the vehicle and shot him in the upper right side of his back from a distance of no more than 50 metres.

UN OCHA reports that on 5 February 2024, Israeli forces shot and killed a 14-year-old Palestinian boy at the entrance to Al ‘Eizariya town, Jerusalem. UN OCHA reports that video footage shows that the boy pulled out a knife to stab a Border Police officer who had stopped him before he was shot. DCIP reports that after being shot, Wadea Shadi Sa’d Elayan ran about five metres before falling to the ground, and being shot a second time by an Israeli soldier. Israeli forces confiscated Wadea’s body after killing him. The Israeli authorities’ policy of withholding the bodies of killed Palestinians, including children, compounds the pain of bereaved families and amounts to collective punishment.

DCIP reports that on 29 January 2024, 17-year-old Abdulrahman Abdulrahim Suleiman Hamed was shot in the chest and the waist by Israeli forces at around midday, during an Israeli military incursion into Silwad. Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters toward Palestinian residents and their homes. Palestinians confronted Israeli forces. Abdulrahman left his school to watch the confrontations from about 200 metres away. As Israeli forces withdrew from Silwad, they opened fire on Abdulrahman, striking him in the chest and the waist.

DCIP reports that on 22 January 2024, 16-year-old Yamen Mohammad Mustafa Lahlouh was shot in the abdomen by Israeli forces during an Israeli military incursion into the Palestinian town of Arraba. Yamen was allegedly throwing stones toward Israeli forces when an Israeli sniper shot him in the stomach from a distance of about 20 metres. While Yamen was on the ground and wounded, Israeli forces prevented other Palestinians and an ambulance from reaching him.

DCIP reports that on 19 January, Israeli soldiers and settlers shot and killed 17-year-old Palestinian-American Tawfiq Hafez Tawfiq Ajaq in Al-Mazra’a Al-Sharqiya, east of Ramallah. Tawfiq was in his car when an Israeli settler, also in a car, arrived and began firing live ammunition from about 100 meters away. Tawfiq drove away while the Israeli settler followed, continuing to shoot toward Tawfiq. Then an Israeli military vehicle appeared from the opposite direction and opened fire on Tawfiq’s car. Tawfiq’s car veered off and overturned. Israeli forces surrounded Tawfiq’s car and prevented people from reaching him for about 15 minutes.

DCIP reports that on 17 January 2024, and Israeli drone strike killed three unarmed 17-year-olds: Ahmad Tareq No’man Faraj, Walid Ibrahim Mohammad Ghanem, and Ahmad Mousa Mutlaq Beddo. The boys were killed at around 10:00 during an Israeli military incursion into Tulkarem refugee camp, when a drone-fired missile struck the three boys and a young Palestinian man. Israeli forces prevented ambulances from reaching them for about 90 minutes.

DCIP reports that on 14 January 2024, Israeli forces shot two boys: 16-year-old Khaled Amer Khaled Hmaidat and 17-year-old Suleiman Mohammad Suleiman Kanaan. Both were shot in the chest by Israeli forces near the northern entrance to Al-Bireh, near Ramallah, while in a car. Israeli forces prevented Palestinian ambulance crews from reaching Khaled while he was bleeding out inside the car, later confiscating his body.

DCIP reports that on 14 January 2024, Israeli forces shot and killed 16-year-old Luai Majed Salem Al-Soufi as he exited a barbershop while Israeli forces carried out an incursion into the Ain Al-Sultan refugee camp. Luai was shot in the chest by an Israeli soldier from a distance of 70 – 100 metres.

DCIP reports that 15-year-old Mohammad Arafat Yousef Abu Juhaisha and 17-year-old Odai Ismail Yousef Abu Juhaisha were shot and killed by Israeli forces on 12 January, near the Israeli settlement of Adora, near Hebron. The boys allegedly breached the outer fence surrounding Adora settlement carrying a rifle and knives, and exchanged gunfire with an Israeli soldier, before being shot. Israeli forces confiscated Odai and Mohammad’s bodies. Israeli forces later raided the boys’ family homes, arresting their relatives.

DCIP reports that four-year-old Ruqaya Ahmad Odeh Jahalin was shot in the back by Israeli forces on 7 January 2024. Ruqaya was sitting in the backseat of a shared taxi van near an Israeli military checkpoint near the Palestinian village of Beit Iksa. The girl and her mother drove through the checkpoint. When a car driving about 40 metres behind them did not stop for inspection by Israeli forces, Israeli forces opened fire on both vehicles, killing Ruqaya, as well as two other passengers in the other vehicle. Israeli forces subsequently confiscated the girl’s body and interrogated her father.

DCIP reports that on 7 January 2024, a 17-year old boy was killed by an Israeli drone strike early this morning during an Israeli military incursion into a Palestinian village near Jenin. Wadea Yaser Hasan Asous suffered shrapnel injuries and severe burns to his head, neck, and chest when Israeli forces fired a missile at a group of Palestinians. Israeli forces were withdrawing south from a military incursion into Jenin that had begun hours earlier when a number of young Palestinian men targeted Israeli military vehicles with homemade explosive devices. An Israeli drone fired a missile toward a different group of Palestinians, including Wadea.

DCIP reports that on 5 January 2024, Israeli forces shot a 17-year-old while he attempted to help two young men who had been shot by Israeli forces. Usaid Tareq Anis Rimawi was shot in the waist by Israeli forces at around 02:00 during an Israeli military incursion into the Palestinian village of Beit Rima. An Israeli soldier inside a heavily armoured military vehicle shot Usaid from a distance of about 200 metres.

DCIP reports that on 29 December 2023, Israeli forces shot 15-year-old Mahmoud Othman Mohammad Warani at around 16:00 in Al-Ezariya, southeast Jerusalem. Mahmoud was participating in a demonstration against the Israeli military offensive on Gaza, near the Israeli separation wall. Palestinian youth confronted Israeli forces stationed at the wall. An Israeli sniper shot Mahmoud in the chest and pelvis from a distance of 100 metres.

DCIP reports that on 29 December, Israeli forces shot 16-year-old Ammar Mohammad Abdelfattah Abu Hussein at around 13:30, near an Israeli military observation tower, southeast of the Palestinian city of Dura. Ammar allegedly drove a car near the Israeli military tower in Wadi al-Shajneh village, colliding with at least four Israeli soldiers who had arrived minutes earlier. After the car collided with the soldiers, Ammar exited the vehicle and tried to run away, according to an eyewitness, before being shot by Israeli forces.

DCIP reports that on 27 December 2023, Israeli forces killed two Palestinian boys using a drone-fired missile. At around 02:00, during a military incursion into Nour Shams refugee camp, Israeli forces killed 16-year-old Hamza Ahmad Mostafa Hmaid and 17-year-old Ahmad Abdulrahman Issa Saleh. Hamza and Ahmad both sustained injuries to their head and chest from missile fragments. Israeli forces are reported to have blocked ambulances from accessing the boys for approximately one hour. The killings followed Israeli forces, accompanied by military bulldozers and aircraft, entering the refugee camp at night and destroying parts of the Al-Baraem Kindergarten, a three-storey building, and civil infrastructure leading to power outages. Armed Palestinians confronted Israeli forces during the incursion and a group of Palestinian youths threw homemade explosives.

DCIP reports that Israeli forces shot in the upper body and killed 17-year-old Ahmad Mohammad Yousef Yaghi during a military incursion into Al-Fawwar refugee camp on 26 December 2023. Israeli forces entered the refugee camp after midnight, deploying snipers on rooftops. Later, Israeli infantry forces were deployed on the camp’s main, near its entrance. Israeli forces fired live ammunition, stun grenades, and tear gas canisters during confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinian residents.

DCIP reports than on 18 December 2023, Israeli forces killed 17-year-old Rashed Habib Ahmad Aydi during a military incursion into Al-Far’a refugee camp. Rashed was shot in the chest while looking out of the window in his home. The Israeli sniper who shot the boy was reportedly 200 metres away.

DCIP reports that during the above-mentioned military incursion into Al-Far’a refugee camp on 18 December 2023, Israeli forces shot and killed 16-year-old Yazan Mo’in Mohammad Khatib Yazan in the head with live ammunition fired from a remote-controlled weapon mounted to the roof of the Israeli military vehicle. Yazan was standing in an alleyway in front of his house other Palestinian youth when an Israeli military jeep stopped at the entrance to the alleyway. Yazan was reportedly holding a homemade explosive device when he was shot.

DCIP reports that on 17 December 2023, 16-year-old Atallah Ziyad Atallah Badaha was shot in the chest by Israeli forces while standing outside his home in Deir Ammar, Ramallah, West Bank.

DCIP reports that on 14 December 2023, Israeli forces shot and killed a 15-year-old, using live ammunition. Mousa Ahmad Mousa Khatib was shot in the chest when standing in front of Jenin Governmental Hospital as some Palestinian residents threw stones at an Israeli military vehicle deployed near Al-Zahra Secondary School for Girls. An Israeli soldier inside the heavily armoured military vehicle fired live ammunition at Mousa.

DCIP reports that on 14 December 2023, 13-year-old Basha Haitham Ahmad Abu Zeid was killed by an Israeli drone-fired missile, near the Khalid bin Al-Walid Mosque in Jenin. Bashar and some Palestinian youths were reportedly throwing bottles filled with motor oil toward passing Israeli military vehicles on the main street next to Bashar’s home, when an Israeli drone targeted the group, killing three people including Bashar.

DCIP reports that on 12 December 2023, 16-year-old Rafiq Mohammad Omar Ezqaily and 17-year-old Thaer Shadi Fawaz Tabaji were killed by an Israeli drone strike, during a two day military incursion into Jenin. The incursion saw Israeli forces seized Palestinian homes to use as military bases, stationed snipers on roofs, besieged several hospitals, impeded the movement of ambulances and paramedics, destroyed civilian infrastructure, and bombed at least one Palestinian home. Rafiq was allegedly holding a firearm when he was killed.

DCIP reports that on 12 December 2023, 13-year-old Ahmad Mohammad Asad Sammar died during Israeli forces’ incursion into Jenin. Ahmad had fallen ill at home as was being driven by his father to Jenin Governmental Hospital. Israeli forces’ military incursion into Jenin forced Ahmad’s father to take multiple detours. When Ahmad and his father were about 500 metres from the hospital, Israeli forces stopped the car and forced both of them to exit. Ahmad’s father carried him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

DCIP reports that on 8 December 2023, Israeli forces shot a 14-year-old boy in the head with live ammunition in Al-Far’a refugee camp in northern West Bank. Maher Abdullah Ahmad Jawabra was shot by an Israeli sniper during an Israeli military incursion into the refugee camp. Israeli snipers stationed on top of an UNRWA medical centre shot Maher and two others, from a distance of 250-300 metres. Palestinian ambulances attempted to reach Maher but Israeli forces held them at gunpoint and prevented them from providing aid.

DCIP reports that on 7 December 2023, Israeli forces shot 16-year-old Omar Mahmoud Sadeq Abu Baker in the chest with live ammunition in Jenin. Omar is alleged to have been throwing stones at Israeli soldiers during an Israeli military incursion into Yabad when he was shot from a distance of about 50 metres.

DCIP reports that on 6 December 2023, Israeli forces shot and killed 16-year-old Abdulrahman Imad Khaled Bani Odeh during a night-time Israeli military incursion into the Palestinian village of Tamoun. Abdulrahman was shot in the legs three times. A 13-year-old child was shot and injured by Israeli forces in the same incident.

DCIP reports that on 2 December 2023, 14-year-old Yazan Majdi Munir Akoub was killed by multiple gunshot wounds to the back and pelvis. Israeli forces shot him from a distance of about 5 metres. A Palestinian ambulance arrived to provide aid to Yazan but Israeli soldiers aimed their weapons at the ambulance and did not allow paramedics to proceed. The Israeli military alleges Yazan had a knife and attempted to carry out a stabbing attack against soldiers.

DCIP reports that on 2 December 2023, 16-year-old Ahmad Abdulrahim Shaer died in of his injuries, having been shot in the back by an Israeli sniper during a military incursion into Jenin on 9 November.

DCIP reports that on 29 November 2023, Israeli forces shot 8-year-old Adam Samer Othman Al-Ghoul in the head. Adam was shot by Israeli forces firing live ammunition from inside a heavily armoured Israeli military vehicle at around 13:00, from a distance of 10-15 metres. The shooting took place during an Israeli military incursion into Jenin that lasted from the evening of 28 November to the afternoon of 29 November.

DCIP reports that on 29 November 2023, Israeli forces shot 15-year-old Basel Suleiman Tawfiq Abu Al-Wafa in the chest. Basel was shot by Israeli forces firing live ammunition from inside a heavily armoured Israeli military vehicle, during the above-mentioned military incursion into Jenin. Basel was allegedly attempting to throw a homemade explosive device at the time Israeli forces shot him.

DCIP reports that on 28 November 2023, 17-year-old Malek Majed Abdelfattah Daghra was shot four times by Israeli forces, during a night-time Israeli search and arrest operation in Kafr Ein village.

DCIP reports that on 28 November 2023, 14-year-old Amr Ahmad Jamil Abu Wahdan was shot in the chest by Israeli forces at around 10:00 during an Israeli incursion into Tayasir village. Amr allegedly threw stones towards heavily armoured Israeli military vehicles as they withdrew from the village. An Israeli soldier inside one vehicle shot Amr from a distance of about 30 metres.

DCIP reports that on 26 November 2023, three Palestinian children were shot and killed during an Israeli military incursion into Jenin. 14-year-old Ammar Mohammad Faisal Abu Al-Wafa was shot in the abdomen, while standing near his house. 16-year-old Ahmad Mohammad Hamed Abu Al-Haija was shot in the chest by an Israeli soldier while filming the incursion. 17-year-old Mahmoud Khaled Mahmoud Abu Al-Haija was shot in the abdomen by an Israeli sniper as he stood at a window inside his house. Israeli soldiers searched the paramedics and prevented them from reaching Mahmoud for about 40 minutes.

DCIP reports that on 26 November 2023, 15-year-old Mohammad Riad Fathi Saleh Farhan was shot in the stomach by an Israeli soldier from a distance of 150 – 200 metres in Ramallah. Mohammad was reportedly participating in confrontations between Palestinians and Israeli forces. Israeli forces opened fire on a Palestinian ambulance attempting to reach Mohammad, and paramedics could not reach the boy for about 45 minutes.

DCIP reports that on 24 November 2023, in Ramallah, 10-year-old Mohammad Ibrahim Fahed Bahloul was shot in the chest during an Israeli military incursion into Beita.

DCIP reports that on 22 November 2023, 14-year-old Motaz Anas Subhi Mansour was shot in the chest by Israeli forces during an incursion into Burin village. Reportedly, Motaz threw a stone at Israeli soldiers who were more than 100 to 130 metres away from him, and when he picked up a second stone, an Israeli soldier shot him in the chest.

DCIP reports that on 18 November 2023, 14-year-old Mohammad Musa Mohammad Masimi was killed when an Israeli warplane bombed a building located in the centre of the densely-populated Balata refugee camp. Four other people were killed in the incident.

DCIP reports that on 16 November 2023, 17-year-old Nasrallah Abdulafu Abdulfatah Qawasmeh was shot by Israeli forces when participating in an exchange of fire between several armed Palestinians and Israeli soldiers at the Israeli military checkpoint between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Israeli forces subsequently confiscated the boy’s body and raided his family home.

DCIP reports that on 14 November 2023, 17-year-old Yamen Kamal Ahmad Al-Atiq died of his injuries after being shot in the chest by an Israeli sniper on 29 October 2023. The bullet used was likely an expanding bullet. Yamen was shot in front of the Grand Mosque of Jenin while participating in a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, when Israeli forces entered Jenin and opened fire on protesters.

DCIP reports that on 10 November 2023, Israeli forces killed five Palestinian children in 24 hours during Israeli military incursions. 17-year-old Mohammad Ali Mohammad Azya, 12-year-old Lutfi Sayel Mahmoud Turkman, 14-year-old Qais Raed Rafiq Dweikat, 17-year-old Ahmad Mahmoud Shafiq Khalaf, and 13-year-old Mohammad Yousef Azzam Zayed were killed. Mohammad Ali was shot in the chest by an Israeli sniper stationed in a military tower near his home in Aida refugee camp, Bethlehem. Israeli forces prevented an ambulance from reaching Mohammad for approximately three and a half hours. Lutfi and Qais were killed by a drone missile in Jenin refugee camp. Ahmad was shot in the chest and leg by an Israeli sniper in Jenin refugee camp. Mohammad Yousef was reportedly looking for a taxi home when was shot twice in the chest by Israeli forces inside a heavily armoured military vehicle.

DCIP reports that on 6 November 2023, 16-year-old Mohammad Omar Ghannam Froukh was shot by Israeli forces in East Jerusalem. It is alleged that he stabbed two Israeli police officers. His body was kept in custody by Israeli authorities. His family home was raided, and all his family members were arrested. In addition, Israeli forces reportedly entered Rashidia school in East Jerusalem and arrested three of Mohammad’s classmates.

DCIP reports that on 5 November 2023, 15-year-old Rami Ez Mousa Odeh died from injuries sustained when he was shot at least three times, in the chest and abdomen, by Israeli forces during an Israeli military incursion into Eizariya (East Jerusalem) on 3 November. Rami was taking photographs of confrontations when he was shot. Israeli forces prevented anyone from reaching Rami for 15 minutes after he had been shot.

DCIP reports that on 3 November 2023, 17-year-old Hamza Zaied Abed Sawafta was shot by Israeli forces at around 14:30, at Israel’s Tayasir military checkpoint, east of Tubas. When near the checkpoint, Hamza reportedly did not line his vehicle up in the queue, prompting Israeli forces to shoot at his vehicle. Israeli soldiers demanded that the boy exit the vehicle, put his hands above his head, and sit on the ground. Hamza complied but Israeli forces opened fire at him from less than 20 metres. According to DCIP, eyewitnesses asserted that Hamza was killed during the incident.

DCIP reports that on 3 November 2023, 16-year-old Yamen Mahmoud Nabil Jarrar was killed by Israeli forces using a drone fired missile at around 04:30, during an Israeli military incursion into Al-Hadaf neighbourhood in Jenin. Allegedly, Yamen had been throwing homemade explosive devices toward Israeli military vehicles and bulldozers entering the neighbourhood.

DCIP reports that on 3 November 2023, 17-year-old Mohammed Wael Ata Al-Jabari was shot in the chest by Israeli forces in Hebron. Mohammed was participating in a march when shot.

DCIP reports that on 2 November 2023, 12-year-old Ayham Mohammad Talal Al-Shafi was shot in the chest with live ammunition during an Israeli military incursion into the town of Al-Bireh (near Ramallah). Israeli forces shot Ayham during confrontations with Palestinians.

DCIP reports that on 2 November 2023, 13-year-old Hamdan Omar Mahmoud Hamdan died of his wounds, having been shot in the back of the head by Israeli forces on 30 October. Hamdan was seated in the back seat of his father’s car, in Zawata, near Nablus, when Israeli forces opened fire on the vehicle.

DCIP reports that on 1 November 2023, 16-year-old Abdulrahman Mohammad Hassan Jawabra was fatally shot in the chest with live ammunition by an Israeli soldier firing from approximately 100 metres away, during confrontations between Palestinians and Israeli forces near the entrance to Beit Ummar, a Palestinian town near Hebron.

DCIP reports that on 30 October 2023, 14-year-old Mohammad Abdulqader Jabr Kharaz was shot twice by Israeli forces near the entrance to the Palestinian village of Zawata (west of Nablus). Mohammad was allegedly throwing stones at Israeli forces deployed 100 to 150 metres away when he was shot, after Israeli soldiers had just opened fire on a Palestinian vehicle driving on the road to Nablus.

DCIP reports that on 30 October 2023, 17-year-old Adam Naser Mahmoud Abulhawa was fatally shot by Israeli forces, and his body was confiscated, after he allegedly stabbed an Israeli soldier in East Jerusalem. After the shooting, Israeli forces searched Adam’s family home, tore up the family’s identification cards and passports, and arrested Adam’s parents and siblings.

DCIP reports that on 30 October 2023, 16-year-old Mousa Khaled Mousa Jabarin was killed by Israeli forces using a drone-fired missile at around 04:30. Israeli forces accompanied by military bulldozers and aircraft entered Jenin at around 01:30 and began destroying streets, homes, and vehicles. Armed Palestinians confronted Israeli forces until Israeli forces withdrew at around 06:30. Mousa was allegedly throwing homemade explosive devices toward a group of Israeli military vehicles, including bulldozers, when he was killed.

DCIP reports that on 27 October, 16-year-old Jawad Abdulsalam Turki Qatban was shot in the chest and killed by Israeli forces during a night-time military incursion into Al-Hadaf neighbourhood (near Jenin refugee camp). Israeli forces accompanied by a bulldozer entered the neighbourhood at around 01:00 and armed Palestinians confronted them.

DCIP reports that on 26 October 2023, 15-year-old Osaid Hamza Mahmoud Hmaidat was shot in the chest by Israeli forces in Al-Jalazoun refugee camp, near Ramallah. Osaid and other Palestinian children were leaving school as Israeli forces entered the refugee camp to close a hole in the wall that surrounds the Israeli settlement of Beit El. Israeli forces closed off the main entrance to the refugee camp and stationed themselves next to Al-Jalazoun school. Students confronted Israeli forces as they were leaving school for the day. Osaid was reportedly shot with an expanding bullet.

DCIP reports that on 25 October 2023, three Palestinian children were killed by an Israeli drone-fired missile fired at a group of Palestinians, including children, in Jenin refugee camp at about 01:00. 15-year-old Eid Nabil Eid Merei, 16-year-old Mohammad Qadri Jamal Masoud, and 17-year-old Mohammad Anas Mahmoud Abu Qatna were killed.

DCIP reports that on 25 October 2023, 17-year-old Ahmad Ghaleb Rebhi Mtair was shot and killed by Israeli forces in Qalandia refugee camp, Ramallah. He was shot in the head and chest as Israeli forces entered the refugee camp to arrest Palestinians, and youth threw stones at Israeli vehicles in response, to which Israeli forces responded with gunfire. Ahmad was standing on the roof of a nearby house when killed.

DCIP reports that on 22 October 2023, 15-year-old Mohammad Qasem Mohammad Abu Zer was shot in the chest in Zawata village. Israeli special forces entered Zawata and surrounded a Palestinian resident’s house. Mohammad, alongside other young Palestinians, threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. An Israeli sniper stationed inside a Palestinian resident’s house shot Mohammad from a distance of 40- 50 metres. Mohammad’s brother approached him to offer aid, but was shot by Israeli forces. Israeli forces then shot another young Palestinian who approached Mohammad to offer aid.

DCIP reports that on 22 October 2023, 14-year-old Obaida Ahmad Ali Kmail was killed by Israeli forces. Obaida had been on his way to school when encountered Israeli special forces and took cover behind a vehicle parked on the side of the street. Israeli forces in military vehicles approached the boy and opened fire with live ammunition from a distance of 15 metres. Obaida was shot in the chest and abdomen. Israeli forces continued to fire at him as he ran from them. Once the boy had collapsed, Israeli forces prevented an ambulance from accessing him for approximately 40 minutes.

DCIP reports that on 20 October 2023, 17-year-old Udai Fawaz Fathi Mansour was shot in the abdomen by Israeli forces near the Huwwara Israeli military checkpoint. Udai was participating in a march in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Palestinians confronted Israeli soldiers stationed at the checkpoint. Israeli forces fired live ammunition and tear gas canisters into the crowd, and one Israeli soldier shot Udai from a distance of approximately 150 metres.

DCIP reports that on 20 October 2023, 15-year-old Suhaib Iyad Mohammad Al-Sous was shot and killed in Beitunia, Ramallah, during an Israeli military incursion in the town. Israeli forces opened fire towards a group of Palestinian youth, shooting Suhaib in the chest.

DCIP reports that on 19 October 2023, four Palestinian children were killed when Israeli forces in an Apache attack helicopter fired a missile at a group of Palestinian civilians, most of them children, during a military incursion into Nour Shams refugee camp. 11-year-old Yousef Mohammad Omar Zaghdad, 15-year-old Mujahed Mohammad Yousef Sa’aydeh, 15-year-old Udai Ma’moun Khaled Abu Al-Heija, and 15-year-old Sari Udai Ali Al-Sada were killed. Israeli forces prevented ambulances from accessing the children.

DCIP reports that on 19 October 2023, 14-year-old Ali Abdullah Mohammad Said Khazna was shot by Israeli forces in the Thenaba neighbourhood of Tulkarem. Reportedly, a group of young Palestinians threw stones at Israeli military vehicles, and one Israeli soldier fired two bullets at Ali from inside of one of the vehicles, from a distance of approximately ten metres.

DCIP reports that on 19 October 2023, 17-year-old Ahmad Munir Yousef Sdouq was shot in the head by Israeli forces during an incursion into Dheisheh refugee camp, near Bethlehem. Ahmad was standing at a window inside his home when he was shot.

DCIP reports that on 19 October 2023, 15-year-old Taha Ibrahim Mohammad Mahmeed was shot and killed during a military incursion in Nour Shams refugee camp. As Taha was watching Israeli forces enter the camp, he was shot twice in the head. When Taha’s father approached him to bring him inside, Israeli forces shot his father in the abdomen. Israeli forces prevented ambulances from approaching the camp.

DCIP reports that on 18 October 2023, 15-year-old Khalil Mohammad Shalash, and 17-year-old Qais Mohammad Hassan Shalash were shot by Israeli forces while walking in the town of Shuqba, near Ramallah. Israeli forces shot the boys at around 15:00, from a distance of 250 metres, striking Khalil in the neck and under the armpit, and Qais in the lower back. Israeli forces were on their way to the nearby Palestinian town of Ni’lin.

DCIP reports that on 15 October 2023, 17-year-old Karam Ayman Mohammad Dweikat was shot with live ammunition in the Palestinian village of Beita. During confrontations with Israeli forces accompanying Israeli settlers to the Mount Al-Arma area of Beita, an Israeli soldier deployed about 30–50 metres away shot Karam in the waist. DCIP reports that video footage indicates that Karam did not present any threat to life or serious injury when he was shot.

DCIP reports that on 14 October 2023, six boys died after being shot by Israeli forces during demonstrations which took place in multiple locations in the West Bank. Those killed were 14-year-old Omar Ahmad Abdulrahman Asmar, 16-year-old Hussain Mutaz Hussain Mousa, 17-year-old Ayham Iyad Issa Jabarin, 17-year-old Mohammad Taher Ali Mustafa, 17-year-old Laith Osama Zaal Abu Mara, and 17-year-old Rafat Thaer Ahmad Abu Mhana. Omar was shot in the thigh, Hussain was shot in the back of the head, Ayham was shot in the head, Mohammad was shot in the head and chest, Laith was shot in the chest, and Rafat was shot in the head.

DCIP reports that on 14 October 2023, 16-year-old Mohammad Rafat Mohammad Edwan died of a wound sustained when Israeli forces shot him with live ammunition in Tulkarem on 10 October.

DCIP reports that on 13 October 2023, 13-year-old Amir Rafat Mahmoud Mlaitat was shot in the head with live ammunition when Israeli forces fired toward Palestinians marching in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The shooting took place near Beit Furik, east of Nablus.

DCIP reports that on 11 October 2023, 16-year-old Mo’nes Rebhi Mousa Zeidat was shot in the chest by Israeli forces at around 20:15, in the Palestinian town of Bani Naim, east of Hebron.

DCIP reports that on 11 October 2023, 17-year-old Obada Sa’ed Awad Abu Srour was shot in the back at approximately 15:00 in the Palestinian village of Qusra. At least seven armed Israeli settlers from the nearby Esh Kodesh settlement, accompanied by Israeli soldiers, entered the village of Qusra and attacked a Palestinian family’s home. Palestinians confronted the group of Israeli settlers and soldiers, who fired live ammunition at Palestinians. A bullet struck Obada in the back. It is unclear whether the fatal bullet was fired by an Israeli settler or soldier.

DCIP reports that on 9 October 2023, 17-year-old Adam Amjad Fathi Al-Julani was shot in the front of the head with live ammunition by Israeli forces at approximately 04:00 at a military checkpoint in Qalandia. Confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinian youth continued into the early morning. Following exchanges of gunfire, Adam and other Palestinian youth threw stones toward the checkpoint and Israeli forces fired live ammunition at the group.

DCIP reports that on 8 October, 16-year-old Yousef Nader Suleiman Idris was shot in the chest with live ammunition by Israeli forces during confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinian youth in Hebron. Yousef was around 150 metres away from Israeli soldiers in the Wadi al-Nasara area near the Israeli settlement of Kiryat Arba, when Israeli forces fired heavily at a group of stone-throwing Palestinian youth.

DCIP reports that on 8 October, 16-year-old Imad Jareh Majed Adaily was shot with live ammunition by Israeli forces in the Palestinian town of Beita. Palestinian youth from Beita confronted Israeli forces on the town’s main street. Israeli forces fired live ammunition from about 100 metres away, striking Imad between his neck and chest.

DCIP reports that on 8 October 2023, 17-year-old Yaser Thaer Sami Kasba was shot in the back with live ammunition by Israeli forces near the Israeli military-controlled Qalandia checkpoint. Yaser allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail toward a military observation tower and then fled, before being shot by Israeli forces from a distance of 100 metres.

DCIP reports that on 7 October 2023, 12-year-old Ahmad Abdulnaser Adnan Rabi was shot in the waist with live ammunition and killed during a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The shooting took place near the Israeli-controlled Eyal crossing (near Qalqilya).

DCIP reports that on 22 September 2023, 16-year-old Abdullah Imad Sa’d Abu Hasan was shot in the abdomen and killed. Israeli forces carried out a military incursion into the Palestinian village of Kafr Dan at around 02:00, raiding a house. Abdullah is alleged to have arrived nearby carrying a weapon and begun shooting at Israeli forces from a distance of 400 metres, when an Israeli sniper shot him.

DCIP reports that on 19 September 2023, 15-year-old Rafat Omar Ahmad Khamayseh was shot and killed while leaving his grandfather’s house, during an Israeli military incursion into Jenin refugee camp. Israeli forces chased Rafat before shooting him from a distance of 10 metres. Israeli forces fired another shot when a resident approached Rafat to offer him aid. The Israeli military prevented ambulances from accessing Jenin refugee camp for approximately 90 minutes, during which time Rafat died.

DCIP reports that on 9 September 2023, 15-year-old Milad Monther Wajih Al-Raei was shot in the back by Israeli forces at the entrance to Al-Arroub refugee camp, opposite an Israeli military tower. During confrontations between Palestinian youth and Israeli forces, an Israeli soldier shot Milad from a distance of about 20 metres.

DCIP reports that on 5 September 2023, 16-year-old Mohammad Yousef Ismail Zbeidat was shot and killed by Israeli forces near the village of Zbeidat, (southern Jordan valley). Mohammad allegedly fired shots at a restaurant in the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Argaman before fleeing to a Palestinian village. Mohammad allegedly then fired a weapon at nearby Israeli forces, lightly wounding one soldier. Israeli forces demanded via a megaphone that Mohammad surrender, followed by about ten minutes of intense close-range shooting. After being shot, Mohammad did not receive medical attention and lay on the ground for about four hours. Israeli authorities confiscated Mohammad’s body.

DCIP reports that on 31 August 2023, 14-year-old Khaled Samer Fadel Al-Zaanin was killed by Israeli forces near the Al-Musrara neighbourhood in Jerusalem. According to Israeli media, he was allegedly intending to carry out a stabbing attempt. Reportedly, the boy was disarmed, before being shot while lying on the ground. Subsequently, the boy’s family home was forcibly entered and his family members detained and interrogated. Khaled’s body was withheld from his family.

UN OCHA reports that on 22 August 2023, Israeli forces shot and killed a 17-year-old Palestinian in Jenin, during an Israeli search-and arrest operation. DCIP reports that Othman Atef Mohammad Abu Khurj was shot twice, in the back of the head and in the arm, as he ran from Israeli forces after he allegedly threw a homemade explosive device towards soldiers who had surrounded the home of a Palestinian.

UN OCHA reports that on 15 August 2023, Israeli forces shot and killed two Palestinians including one 16-year old child, during a search-and-arrest operation in Aqabet Jaber Camp Refugee Camp (Jericho). DCIP reports that Qusai Omar Mohammad Suleiman was in the chest by Israeli forces, who opened fire at Qusai while he was on his motorbike and near a group of Palestinians attempting to retrieve the body of a man who had been recently shot by Israeli forces.

DCIP reports that on 7 August 2023, 17-year-old Ramzi Fathi Abdulrahman Hamed was shot and killed by an Israeli settler guard near the entrance to the Palestinian village of Silwad, while Ramzi was seated in a car with friends. When the driver of the car Ramzi was in saw the Israeli settlement guard’s car, he attempted to turn around. The Israeli settlement guard then fired at the car from approximately 10 metres away. Ramzi was shot in the chest and abdomen.

DCIP reports that on 7 August 2023, 16-year-old Bara Ahmad Fayez Al-Qerm was killed by Israeli forces in a car near Jenin, West Bank by Israeli paramilitary police. They opened fire on a car in which there were three Palestinians, killing all of them including Bara. The Israeli authorities confiscated all three bodies.

DCIP reports that on 4 August, Israeli forces shot 17-year-old Mahmoud Husam Hasan Ahmad Abu Sa’an three times. After being shot and falling to the ground, Israeli forces shot Mahmoud again, in the head from a distance of three metres. Mahmoud sustained two gunshot wounds to the head and one to the hand. The shooting took place during an Israeli military incursion into Tulkarem refugee camp. Mahmoud had allegedly thrown a Molotov cocktail toward a group of Israeli military vehicles and fled prior to the shooting.

DCIP reports that on 2 August 2023, 15-year-old Mohammad Farid Shawqi Al-Za’arir was killed by Israeli forces near Hebron. Mohammad was walking along the road when two Israeli soldiers approached him in a vehicle. It is alleged that the boy attempted to stab them. Israeli forces shot and killed Mohammad with live ammunition and confiscated his body.

DCIP reports that on 21 July 2023, 16-year-old Mohammad Fuad Atta Al-Bayed was shot in the head in Ramallah, while participating in a weekly demonstration against Israeli settlement expansion. Israeli forces began firing live ammunition, tear gas canisters, and sound grenades at Palestinians. Mohammad was struck in the head while he was standing near the village council building.

DCIP reports that on 4 July 2023, 16-year-old Abdulrahman Hasan Ahmad Hardan was shot in the head while standing near a hospital in Jenin at 13:00. He was not involved in any confrontations nor was he armed. The killing occurred during an Israeli military incursion to Jenin.

DCIP reports that on 3 July, 16-year-old Mustafa Imad Ali Qassem was killed by an airstrike in Jenin refugee camp.

DCIP reports that on 3 July 2023, 15-year-old Nouruddin Husam Yousef Marshoud and 17-year-old Majdi Younis Saud Ararawi were killed by Israeli snipers during an Israeli military incursion into Jenin refugee camp. Nouruddin sustained a gunshot wound to the head while Majdi sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. Israeli forces launched a major military operation at around 01:30 in Jenin, with around 1,200 Israeli ground forces carrying out attacks against civilian infrastructure in densely populated residential areas, including Jenin refugee camp.

DCIP reports that on 24 June 2023, 16-year-old Ishaq Hamdi Amin Al-Ajlouni was shot and killed by Israeli forces near Qalandia military checkpoint. Shots were reportedly fired at the checkpoint and gunfire exchanged around the time of the killing. Ishaq’s family members were interrogated and/or detained after the killing. Israeli authorities confiscated Ishaq’s body. An Israeli interrogator reportedly alleged that Ishaq had been armed.

DCIP reports that on 22 June 2023, 15-year-old Ashraf Morad Mahmoud Al-Sa’di was killed by missiles fired by an aerial drone that targeted the car he was in, killing him along with two other Palestinians. At least four missiles were fired at the vehicle. It is alleged that prior to the missile strikes, Ashraf and two Palestinian men opened fire at Israeli military vehicles parked on the Israeli side of Israel’s separation wall. Israeli forces prevented ambulances accessing Ashraf and the other Palestinians.

DCIP reports that on 21 June 2023, a 14-year-old girl, Sadil Ghasan Ibrahim Naghnaghieh, died after being shot in the head with live ammunition by Israeli forces two days earlier. During an Israeli military incursion into Jenin refugee camp, Sadil was in the garden of her family home, using her phone to record Israeli military vehicles driving through the camp, when a soldier shot two bullets at her from inside a military vehicle. There were reportedly no confrontations in the area at the time.

UN OCHA reports that on 20 June 2023, near the Eli settlement in Nablus, four Israeli settlers including two children were killed by two Palestinians, before they were shot dead.

DCIP reports that on 19 June 2023, 14-year-old Ahmad Yousef Ahmad Saqer was shot in the abdomen by an Israeli soldier from inside a military vehicle from a distance of around 200 meters. Ahmad was reportedly holding stones when shot. The shooting took place in Al-Hadaf neighbourhood, during an Israeli military incursion into Jenin refugee camp.

DCIP reports that on 5 June 2023, two-year-old Mohammad Tamimi died after being shot in the head with live ammunition by Israeli forces the previous week. Mohammad was shot while seated in a car in front of his home in the village of Nabi Saleh, when Israeli forces are reported to have fired live ammunition .

DCIP reports that on 1 May 2023, 17-year-old Jebril Mohammad Said Kamal was shot in the head with live ammunition by Israeli forces during an early morning military incursion into Aqbat Jabr refugee camp.

DCIP reports that on 1 May 2023, Israeli forces shot 15-year-old Mustafa Amer Ali Sabbah in the chest, using live ammunition. Mustafa was shot in the village of Tuqu, near Bethlehem.

DCIP reports that on 10 April 2023, 17-year-old Mohammad Fayez Mohammad Awadat was killed by Israeli forces in Aqbat Jabr refugee camp during a military incursion. The forces fired live ammunition indiscriminately when withdrawing from the camp, shooting Mohammad in the head, chest, abdomen and pelvis.

DCIP reports that on 16 March 2023, 14-year-old Omar Mohammad Omar Awadin was shot in the back with live ammunition while riding his bicycle outside his parents’ shop in the afternoon. Plain clothes Israeli special forces shot at two young Palestinians who were walking down the street. After shooting one youth in the head and another in the back, Israeli forces continued firing, striking Omar.

DCIP reports that on 10 March 2023, 14-year-old Amir Mamoun Mohammad Odeh was killed by live ammunition by Israeli forces in Qalqilya. Israeli forces fired at protesters who were demonstrating against a recent military incursion into Jenin, which killed several Palestinians. Amir was shot in the chest.

DCIP reports that on 9 March 2023, 15-year-old Walid Saad Daoud Nassar was shot and killed by an Israeli soldier in Jenin. The bullet that struck Walid was likely an expanding bullet, according to documentation collected by DCIP. Expanding bullets are designed to expand inside the body upon impact, causing massive internal injuries. Customary international law prohibits their use. An Israeli soldier inside an armoured vehicle shot at least seven bullets at Palestinian youth throwing stones at military vehicles, striking Walid in the abdomen. The shooting followed an Israeli military incursion into Jenin, in which six Palestinians were killed and 25 injured.

DCIP reports that on 4 March 2023, 17-year-old Mohammad Nidal Ibrahim Salim was shot in the back with live ammunition as he fled from Israeli forces. Mohammad and other boys were walking towards the village of Izbat al-Tabib when an Israeli military vehicle approached them. Confrontations ensued with stones and Molotov cocktails thrown at the Israeli military vehicle. Minutes later, a vehicle containing Israeli forces approached the boys, who fled. They were approximately 70 metres away when several Israeli soldiers got out and opened heavy fire. In addition to Mohammad, another 16-year-old was shot in the abdomen and critically injured.

DCIP reports that on 22 February 2023, 16-year-old Mohammad Farid Mohammad Haj Ahmad was shot in the head by Israeli forces in Nablus at around 13:00. Mohammad was standing outside a health clinic with two Palestinian men who were also shot by a passing Israeli soldier, who was inside an armoured military vehicle. The shooting occurred as a Palestinian man armed with a handgun fled in Mohammad’s direction after firing at Israeli military vehicles.

DCIP reports that on 14 February 2023, 17-year-old Mahmoud Majed Mohammad Ayed was shot in the head by an Israeli sniper using live ammunition in Al-Far’a refugee camp. Israeli forces entered Al-Far’a refugee camp around 05:00 to conduct arrest operations. During a confrontation between unarmed Palestinians and Israeli forces, an Israeli sniper stationed on top of a building about 100 metres away shot Mahmoud.

DCIP reports that on 12 February 2023, 14-year-old Qusai Radwan Yousef Waked was shot and killed by an Israeli sniper during an Israeli military incursion into Jenin refugee camp. Armed Palestinian residents confronted Israeli forces. Qusai was standing about 30 metres behind three armed residents when an Israeli sniper exchanged fire with them. The sniper, stationed in the window on the third floor of a Palestinian-owned residential building about 550 metres away, shot Qusai in the right side of his abdomen.

DCIP reports that on 8 February 2023, 16-year-old Montaser Mohammad Deeb Shawwa was shot in the head with live ammunition by an Israeli sniper in Balata refugee camp. Montaser was reportedly participating in confrontations in response to Israeli forces carrying out an incursion near Balata refugee camp in order to allow Israeli settlers to enter Qabr Yousuf (a religious shrine located in Nablus).

DCIP reports that on 7 February 2023 16-year-old Hamza Amjad Yousef Ashqar was shot and killed by Israeli forces during a military incursion into a Palestinian neighbourhood in Nablus. Hamza was with other boys who had been seen throwing objects and stones at Israeli military vehicles. Hamza was shot twice, in the mouth and the waist, by an Israeli soldier inside a military vehicle.

DCIP reports that on 26 January 2023, 17-year-old Abdullah Marwan Juma’a Mousa and 16-year-old Wasim Amjad Aref Abu Jaes were shot and killed during an Israeli miliary incursion into Jenin refugee camp. Seven other Palestinians were killed during the incursion. Abdullah was shot in the chest with live ammunition and Israeli forces prevented medical staff from reaching injured Palestinians. Wasim was shot at five times before being run over by a military vehicle.

DCIP reports that on 25 January 2023, 17-year-old Wadea Abdulaziz Meri Abu Ramouz was shot with live ammunition, sustaining at least one gunshot near the heart, by Israeli forces during a confrontation between Palestinian youth and Israeli police in Silwan. While Wadea was in hospital, Israeli forces placed him under arrest, guarding him while he was treated in intensive care, before withholding his body after he succumbed to his injuries.

DCIP reports that on 19 January 2023, 14-year-old Amr Khaled Lutfi Al-Khmour was shot in the head by Israeli forces carrying out a military search and arrest operation in Dheisheh refugee camp, near Bethlehem. Amr was shot during confrontations that occurred as Israeli forces withdrew from the refugee camp.

DCIP reports that on 5 January 2023, 16-year-old Amer Ghazi Mahmoud Zeitoun was shot in the head by an Israeli sniper during a military incursion into Balata refugee camp. Confrontations broke out and Amer, unarmed, was repeatedly shot after he had fallen to the ground.

DCIP reports that on 3 January 2023, 15-year-old Adam Issam Shaker Ayyad was shot and killed in Dheisheh refugee camp during an Israeli military incursion. Israeli forces entered Dheisheh refugee camp earlier that morning to arrest a Palestinian man. Palestinians confronted Israeli forces, who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters at the crowds. Adam sustained at least one gunshot wound to the back of his shoulder.

DCIP reports that on 1 January 2023, 17-year-old Fuad Mahmoud Ahmad Abed was shot multiple times and killed by Israeli forces who had entered the village of Kafr Dan to carry out punitive home demolitions. An Israeli sniper stationed on the second floor of a Palestinian home about 50 metres away shot Fuad in his abdomen, pelvis, and legs.

Article 6(1) of the UNCRC provides that every child has the inherent right to life. Under international law, lethal application of force can only be used as a last resort when there is a direct and imminent threat to life or serious injury. Israeli forces have long been documented to consistently apply lethal application of force where there is lack of evidence to suggest any direct and imminent threat to life. Violations of this legal requirement resulting in an unlawful extrajudicial killing should entail individual criminal responsibility. Indeed, part of providing meaningful protection under the UNCRC involves investigation of, and accountability for, child deaths caused by unlawful application of force. To fulfil its obligations under international law, it is necessary that the Government of Israel thoroughly and transparently investigate the circumstances of the above-mentioned fatal shootings and ensure legal accountability and justice is delivered where there is criminal wrongdoing. However, there is strong evidence indicating that Israel is systemically failing to provide genuine accountability for child deaths, with data collected by the Israeli human rights organisations, B’Tselem and Yesh Din, clearly demonstrating that Israeli soldiers who harm or kill Palestinians are very rarely indicted.

Israel’s policy of withholding bodies of Palestinians, including children, who have been killed by Israeli forces, appears to amount to collective punishment against families, which is prohibited under international humanitarian law. It may also constitute cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of the families of the deceased, a violation of international human rights law, including Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, because of the mental distress it inflicts on the family.

INJURIES

UN OCHA reports that 71,920 Palestinians have been injured in Gaza between 7 October 2023- 4 March 2024. It is likely that among those injured are tens of thousands of children. UN OCHA reports that between 1 January 2023- 9 February 2024 (latest figures available) 1,949 Palestinian children were injured across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. The real figure may be significantly higher, as thousands of cases have not been categorised by age. Injuries were caused by tear gas inhalation, live ammunition, rubber bullets, physical assault, air launched explosives, tear gas canisters (hit by) and unspecified means. UN OCHA has reported an increase in the number of injuries caused by live ammunition.

Due to the sheer scale of injury incidents in Gaza since 7 October, the incidents cited below relate only to the occupied West Bank.

Data collected by UN OCHA records that the majority (1,907) of the total child injuries during this bulletin’s reporting period were caused by Israeli forces. Of these, 545 boys and 68 girls were injured by Israeli forces during military search and arrest operations. 389 children were injured during protests.

UN OCHA reports that, Israeli security forces put Palestinians in the West Bank, including children, in danger, including by appearing to use them as human shields.

DCIP reports that on 4 February 2024, Israeli forces unleashed an attack dog on a four-year-old Palestinian boy in the northern occupied West Bank. Israeli forces released the military dog into a family home, after carrying out an arrest operation in Balata refugee camp. The dog attacked the four-year-old after knocking him out of his mother’s arms, and repeatedly bit him.

DCIP reports that on 25 January 2024, Israeli forces severely beat a 15-year-old Palestinian boy in Hebron on his way to buy bread. Three Israeli soldiers approached the boy and began beating him at around 14:40 near his home in Hebron. The soldiers were chasing another child, who fled, before grabbing the 15-year-old and punching, slapping, and verbally abusing him. The boy reports temporarily losing his vision during the prolonged assault.

UN OCHA records that in Gaza between 1 January 2023- 6 October 2023, 86 boys and 25 girls were injured by Israeli forces, the majority by air-launched explosives and live ammunition.

Article 3(2) of the UNCRC provides that states shall ensure children the protection and care necessary for their well-being. The enormous number of children injured by Israeli forces prima facie violates both the letter and the spirit of Article 3(2).

SETTLER VIOLENCE

UN OCHA reports that 2023 saw the highest number of settler attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in any year since UN OCHA started recording incidents in 2006. Incidents in which Israeli soldiers escorted armed settlers invading Palestinian homes were documented; at least 403 children were injured in settler related incidents between 1 January 2023- 4 March 2024. At least 38 children were directly injured by settlers.

Incidents of settler violence between 1 January 2023- 4 March 2024 include:

B’Tselem reports that on 11 October 2023, a five-year-old Palestinian girl was shot in the shoulder by Israeli settlers, after settlers threw stones and fired shots at the girl’s family home. Reportedly, Israeli soldiers standing nearby did not intervene.

UN OCHA reports that on 1 September 2023, the single remaining Palestinian household in the herding community of Al Baqa’a (Jerusalem), comprising eight people, including five children, left the community following a series of settler attacks.

UN OCHA reports that on 4 August 2023, a Palestinian child was run over and injured by an Israeli settler in the H2 area of Hebron city.

UN OCHA reports that in two separate incidents, on 7 and 10 July 2023, two Palestinian children were run over by settlers near the entrances of Beit Ummar (Hebron) and Huwwara (Nablus).

UN OCHA reports that on 2 July 2023, a Palestinian child was injured when Israeli settlers blocked a road next to Yasuf village in Nablus and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles.

UN OCHA reports that on 28 June 2023, settlers physically assaulted and injured two Palestinian children while thy were grazing their livestock in Al Mu’arrajat East (Ramallah).

UN OCHA reports that on 10 May 2023, a group of Israeli settlers, some armed, shot and injured two Palestinians and physically assaulted a Palestinian child in Deir Dibwan (Ramallah).

UN OCHA reports that settlers injured six children between 28 March -17 April, including a nine-year-old girl, who was injured when stones were thrown at Palestinian vehicles.

UN OCHA reports that on 14 – 27 March 2023, Israeli settlers injured two children in separate attacks.

UN OCHA reports that an eight-year-old boy was injured when Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian property by throwing stones and empty bottles in Tal Rumeida and Wadi Al Hussein (Hebron) on 7 and 8 March 2023.

UN OCHA reports that on 6 March 2023, a two-year-old Palestinian child was injured when Israeli settlers entered Huwwara and threw stones at Palestinian houses and vehicles.

UN OCHA reports that between 14 – 27 February 2023, three children were among the 13 Palestinians injured by Israeli settlers and people known or believed to be settlers.

UN OCHA reported that between the end of 2022 and August 2023, 12% of 63 Palestinian herding communities (home to around 10,000 people, 51% of them children) had been displaced as a result of settler violence and settlers preventing access to grazing land. Four communities had been completely displaced. Six had over 50% of their residents leave. In seven other communities, more than 25% of the community had left.

UN OCHA subsequently reported in February 2024 that at least 1,539 Palestinians were displaced during 2023, citing Israeli settlers’ violence and shrinking access to grazing land as the main reasons, compared with 774 people in 2022. Of them, 1,208 (81 per cent) were displaced in the aftermath of 7 October, amid a significant increase in violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, including physical attacks and death threats. Those displaced have moved to towns or other rural areas that they consider safer. Most of those displaced were in the governorates of Ramallah, Nablus and Hebron, which also have the highest number of Israeli settlement outposts. At least fourteen Palestinian communities were completely displaced during 2023 and now stand empty. In some of these communities, Israeli forces demolished the remaining structures, including at least two schools.

Article 3(2) of the UNCRC provides that states should ensure the protection and care of children, as is necessary for their wellbeing. The ongoing violent attacks on children by Israeli settlers strongly indicates that Israel is in breach of Article 3(2). The Israeli human rights organisation Yesh Din reports that incidents of violence by Israeli civilians against Palestinians and their property are a daily occurrence throughout the West Bank and that these incidents are rarely investigated properly by Israeli law enforcement. Moreover, only 3% of the investigations into complaints filed by Palestinians injured by settlers lead to convictions.

The low rate of investigations into attacks by Israeli settlers suggests that Israel is in violation of its obligations under Article 39 of the UNCRC, which stipulates that states should take all appropriate measures to promote the physical and psychological recovery of a child victim of abuse, and that such recovery should take place in an environment which fosters the health, self-respect and dignity of the child.

ARRESTS AND DETENTION

Between 1 January 2023- 4 March 2024, UN OCHA reports that Israeli forces conducted thousands of search-and-arrest operations across the West Bank. The total number of Palestinian children arrested by Israeli forces is not known. Children continued to be arrested during night-time raids on their family homes. As of 31 December 2023, Military Court Watch reports that there are 137 Palestinian children (12 – 17 years old) being held in Israeli military detention facilities, 49 of them under administrative detention (detention without charge or trial, which can be renewed indefinitely). Military Court Watch reports that since 7 October, a marked deterioration in prison conditions has been reported, with children being punched and beaten with batons, attacked with dogs and denied medical attention.

Arrest and detention incidents in the reporting period include:

DCIP reports that on 19 January 2024, Israeli forces burned a 17-year-old Palestinian prisoner with cigarettes after severely beating him.

DCIP reports that on 10 January 2024, a Palestinian child recently released from administrative detention was attacked by an Israeli military dog while detained.

Military Cout Watch reports that Palestinian child detainees released as part of a prisoner exchange deal in November 2023 were replaced with a fresh supply of child detainees by December 2023.

DCIP reports that a 17-year-old Palestinian child who was repeatedly beaten and held in solitary confinement for 31 days, was released in November 2023. Israeli forces first detained the boy on 21 March 2023, before isolating him in solitary confinement for 31 days. The boy reports that he was interrogated on an almost daily basis during solitary confinement. He reports that on 21 October 2023, Israeli forces stormed his cell and strip-searched and beat him. The boy reports that he and other children were repeatedly and severely beaten. He reports having water poured over his clothes in extremely cold weather, and having his mattress and blanket confiscated.

Military Court Watch reports that on 10 August 2023, a 13-year-old boy from Bethlehem was arrested by Israeli soldiers. In sworn testimony, the boy describes being repeatedly assaulted, strip-searched, left in an outdoor cage overnight and having to use the toilet in front of Israeli soldiers.

Military Court Watch reports that on 10 August, a 16-year-old boy was arrested during a night-time raid at his grandmother’s home. In sworn testimony, he reports being beaten and verbally abused by soldiers, strip-searched, left in an open cage, and threatened with a two year prison sentence if he did not confess to stone throwing, before being released without charge.

Military Court Watch reports that on 8 August 2023, a 17-year-old boy was arrested during an Israeli night-time raid on his home. In sworn testimony, he reports that four soldiers in his bedroom aimed their guns at him, being repeatedly physically assaulted and left with a fractured hand. The boy reports that his interrogator shouted at him to confess to stone-throwing, threatened to keep him in prison for a long time, and told him that he’d had his father’s work permit revoked.

Military Court Watch reports that on 8 August 2023, a 16-year-old from Aida Camp was arrested by Israeli soldiers from home during the night. In sworn testimony, the boy reports being held in solitary confinement for three days, strip-searched and kept in an outdoor cage. He was released without charge a week later. He reports that his father’s work permit was revoked.

Military Court Watch reports that on 18 April 2023, a 14-year-old boy from Beit Ummar was detained by Israeli soldiers from home. In sworn testimony, the boy reports waking to find ten masked Israeli soldiers in his bedroom. He reports not being informed of the reason for his arrest, being strip-searched, and physically and verbally abused. He reports being blindfolded during his interrogation. The boy was pressured into signing a document in Hebrew and confessing to stone throwing. He was released from prison on 2 August 2023.

Further children’s testimonies of their arrest, ill-treatment and detention during the reporting period can be found here.

Article 37(a) of the UNCRC states that no child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment. Article 19 of the UNCRC provides that State Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence while in the care of any person who has the care of the child. In its General Comment No. 8, the Committee on the Rights of the Child indicated that “There is no ambiguity: ‘all forms of physical or mental violence’ does not leave room for any level of legalized violence against children”. Frequently documented acts of systematic ill-treatment of children, possibly rising to torture, during Israel’s military detention process, has led independent legal experts – funded by the UK Government – to conclude that Israel is in breach of Article 37(a) of the UNCRC.

Article 3(1) of the UNCRC obliges states to ensure that: ‘In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration’. Further, Article 37(b) of the UNCRC states that no child shall be deprived of his or her liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily and that it shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time. The continued arbitrary arrests of children, and the physical abuse of children who have been detained, suggest that Israel is in breach of both the spirit and the letter of Article 3(1) and 37(b).

Please see LPHR’s briefing on Israel’s military of Palestinian children for an accessible analysis of material legal and human rights issues arising from Israel’s military detention of Palestinian children. In July 2023, LPHR and Save the Children announced a landmark call for an immediate moratorium on Israeli authorities arresting, detaining and prosecuting Palestinian children, due to severe and pervasive harm being perpetrated against children within Israel’s military detention system.

INTERFERENCE AGAINST EDUCATION

Infringements on education in the reporting period of 1 January 2023- 4 March 2024 include:

UN OCHA reports that 625,000 students in Gaza had no access to education and over 5,000 students and 240 teachers had been killed as of 13 February 2024.

UN OCHA reports that 60% of Gaza’s schools (350 out of 563) have been damaged.

UN OCHA reports that 92% of all school buildings in Gaza are being used as shelters for IDPs and or have sustained damage. Some 390 schools (78.8% of the total school buildings in Gaza) sustained damage, including 140 schools that sustained major damage or were fully destroyed. Combined, these schools previously served some 433,000 children and more than 16,200 teachers.

Save the Children reports that hundreds of teachers have been killed and about 75% of schools, colleges, and universities have been completely destroyed or damaged in Gaza, as of 24 January 2024.

As mentioned in the fatalities section above, DCIP reports that Israeli forces destroyed parts of the Al-Baraem Kindergarten in Nour Shams refugee camp in the West Bank on 27 December 2023.

B’Tselem reports that on 7 August 2023, about three months after residents of ‘Ein Samia were forced to abandon their homes and lives in the community which lies northeast of Ramallah, Civil Administration personnel arrived with a military escort, proclaimed the site a closed military zone and demolished the school that community residents built in early 2022. The forces confiscated all the equipment inside the school as well. On 22 May 2023, the last remaining residents of the community, which numbered 200, were forced to leave their homes after Israel had made their lives unbearable, in part through settler violence. According to UN figures, the ‘Ein Samia community school was one of 44 schools in the West Bank under threat of demolition, eight of them in East Jerusalem. About 4,800 students attend these schools.

B’Tselem reports that on 7 May 2023, at around 4:00 A.M., Civil Administration personnel arrived with a military escort, a digger, a bulldozer, trucks and a crane, to the school in the community of Jub a-Dib. The forces demolished the school, which serves 42 students, and confiscated a structure used as a storage room as well as furniture, appliances and electronics: 40 chairs, 10 desks, two office desks, two refrigerators, a computer, a TV and a printer. On Wednesday, 10 May 2023, at around 4:30 P.M., Civil Administration personnel returned to the wreckage of the school with a military escort and confiscated two tents local residents had set up as temporary classrooms and about 40 chairs and declared the school a closed military zone. The Civil Administration demolished the community’s school once before on 22 August 2017, and it was rebuilt by community residents.

B’Tselem reports that on 3 Jan 2023 Some of the forces then went on in a jeep to the community of Khirbet a-Safai al-Foqa, which lies in Masafer Yatta within the area the military designated “Firing Zone 918”, and confiscated a folded tent. The tent, which teachers put up and took down daily to use as a classroom, was donated by the Red Crescent after Israel demolished the community school on 23 Nov. 2022 and confiscated tents donated to serve as classrooms on 6 Dec. 2022.

B’Tselem reports that on 7 May 2023, at around 4:00 A.M., Civil Administration personnel arrived with a military escort, a digger, a bulldozer, trucks and a crane, to the school in the community of Jub a-Dib. The forces demolished the school, which serves 42 students, and confiscated a structure used as a storage room as well as furniture, appliances and electronics: 40 chairs, 10 desks, two office desks, two refrigerators, a computer, a TV and a printer. On Wednesday, 10 May 2023, at around 4:30 P.M., Civil Administration personnel returned to the wreckage of the school with a military escort and confiscated two tents local residents had set up as temporary classrooms and about 40 chairs and declared the school a closed military zone. The Civil Administration demolished the community’s school once before on 22 August 2017, and it was rebuilt by community residents.

Article 28 of the UNCRC stipulates that education should be accessible to all children on the basis of equal opportunity, obliging Israel to ensure that children in the oPt have unrestricted access to education. Attacks on schools in Gaza and the demolition of schools in the West Bank strongly appear to breach both the spirit and the letter of Article 28.

DEMOLITIONS & DISPLACEMENT

Home demolitions and displacement remain a matter of huge concern. As of early March 2024, over 60% of housing units in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged (over 70,000 housing units destroyed). UNICEF reports that at least 17,000 children are estimated to be unaccompanied or separated from their parents in Gaza. In the West Bank, UN OCHA reports that 2023 saw the highest number of displacements – about 4,000 Palestinians – due to demolitions since recording began in 2009. Data collected by UN OCHA records that at least 1,256 children (603 girls and 653 boys) were displaced by the demolition of 1398 structures (111 of them donor funded) in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, during the reporting period of this bulletin.

Incidents of demolitions and displacement during the reporting period include:

UN OCHA reports that since 7 October 2023 and as of 4 March 2024, 711 Palestinian children have been displaced. 343 of these children were displaced following the demolition of their homes in Area C and East Jerusalem, due to lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain, or due to a punitive demolition order.

UN OCHA reports that in 2023 alone, a total of 1,152 Palestinians, including 575 children, were displaced when the Israeli authorities demolished or forced them to demolish their homes citing lack of Israeli-issued building permits.

UN OCHA reports that in 2023, at least 1,539 Palestinians, including 756 children, were displaced from their homes or communities in Area C of the West Bank amid Israeli settler violence, access restrictions, and shrinking access to grazing land.

UN OCHA reports that in 2023, 200 Palestinians, including 82 children, were displaced from H2 area and Masafer Yatta in Hebron, citing increased movement restrictions imposed on their communities by Israeli forces as the primary reason.

UN OCHA reports that on 1 September 2023, Israeli forces raided Aqqaba (Tubas) and surrounded a Palestinian house. An exchange of fire with Palestinians ensued, and Israeli forces shot live ammunition; six children were displaced due to the damage caused to their homes.

UN OCHA reports that between 5 – 18 September 2023, eight children were displaced when the Israeli authorities in East Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank demolished, confiscated, or forced people to demolish 23 structures, including seven homes, citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits.

UN OCHA reports that between 22 August – 4 September 2023, Israeli authorities demolished, confiscated, or forced people to demolish 14 structures in East Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank, including seven homes, citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits. As a result, five Palestinian children, were displaced.

UN OCHA reports that between 8 – 21 August 2023, 10 children were displaced when the Israeli authorities demolished, confiscated, or forced people to demolish an additional 33 structures in East Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank, including ten homes, citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain.

UN OCHA reports that on 8 August 2023, Israeli forces raided Askar Refugee camp (Nablus) and demolished on punitive grounds the home of a family member accused of killing two Israeli settlers in February 2023. Four people, including a child, were displaced.

UN OCHA reports that between 25 July- 7 August 2023, 12 children were displaced when Israeli authorities demolished, confiscated, or forced people to demolish 56 structures in East Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank, including six homes, citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain. Also, on 28 July, following the establishment of an Israeli settlement in the Palestinian community of Al Baqa’a (Jerusalem) on 20 June, one of the two remaining Palestinian households, comprising eight people, including five children and a pregnant woman, left the community. Similarly, On 4 August, 12 households in Ras al Tin (Ramallah) comprising 89 people, including 39 children, dismantled their residential and livelihood structures and left their communities and relocated to safer places. According to the families, they left after increased settler violence and harassment following the establishment of new farming settlement outposts.

DCIP reports that in July 2023, Israeli forces entered the houses of Palestinian families in Jenin refugee camp, aiming weapons at children and terrifying families before demolishing the walls of the homes, during a military incursion.

UN OCHA reports that between 5 – 24 July 2023, 66 Palestinians, including 34 children, were displaced when Israeli authorities demolished, confiscated, or forced people to demolish 54 structures in East Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank, including 20 homes, citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain. As a result, , and the livelihoods of more than 795 others were affected.

UN OCHA reports that on 10 and 19 July 2023, seven households including 20 (all registered refugees) of Al Baqa’a Bedouin community in the Jerusalem Governorate, and one Palestinian household comprising 13 people, including nine children of the Wedadie Herding community in the South Hebron Hills (South of As Samu’a village), dismantled their residential and livelihood structures and left their communities and relocated to safer places. According to the families, they left after increased settlement activities following the establishment of new settlement outposts.

UN OCHA reports that between 20 – 24 June 2023, 25 Palestinians, including 12 children were displaced when Israeli settlers injured 19 Palestinians and caused damage to Palestinian properties in 46 instances in four consecutive days, between 20 and 24 June, throughout the northern and central West Bank. In total, 41 Palestinian-owned houses were damaged. Five Palestinian-owned houses were fully burnt in Turmus’ayya village (Ramallah) and 36 were damaged or burnt in Huwwara, Al Lubban ash Sahrqiya, ‘Urif, Turmus’ayya, Umm Saffa and Sinjil. Most of the damage occurred to windows, shattered with stones by settlers.

UN OCHA reports that between 30 May – 12 June 2023, the Israeli authorities demolished, confiscated, or forced people to demolish 14 structures in East Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank, including five homes, citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain. As a result, 44 Palestinians, including 19 children, were displaced.

UN OCHA reports that on 23 May 2023, Israeli forces raided Ni’lin village (Ramallah) in Area B of the West Bank and demolished on punitive grounds the multiple-story home of a family whose member killed one Israeli and injured two others in an attack in Israel on 9 March 2023. One household, comprising 14 people, including eight children, was displaced.

UN OCHA reports that between 16- 29 May 2023, 56 Palestinians including 33 children were displaced when the Israeli authorities demolished, confiscated, or forced people to demolish 43 structures in East Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank, including eleven homes, citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain.

UN OCHA reports between 2 – 15 May 2023, 50 Palestinians, including 23 children, were displaced when the Israeli authorities demolished, confiscated, or forced people to demolish 42 structures in East Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank, including 17 homes, citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain. Nine of the structures were provided by donors as humanitarian assistance, including a school. More than half of the affected structures (26) were in Area C, including the donor funded school. The remaining 16 structures were demolished in East Jerusalem, including two residential structures demolished in Wadi Qaddum area of Silwan.

UN OCHA reports that on 2 and 3 May 2023, Israeli forces raided Hajja (Qalqilya) and Haris (Salfit) villages, in Area B of the West Bank, and demolished on punitive grounds two multiple-story homes of families whose members killed four Israelis and injured others. Three households, comprising 14 people, including eight children, were displaced. Nine others, including three children, were otherwise affected.

UN OCHA reports that on 26 March 2023, Israeli settlers threw a Molotov cocktail at a Palestinian house in Sinjil (Ramallah), setting it on fire, according to local community sources. As a result, a Palestinian family of six, including four children, were displaced, and lost most of their belongings.

UN OCHA reports that on 28 February – 13 March 2023, 74 Palestinians, including 32 children, were displaced when the Israeli authorities demolished, confiscated, or forced people to demolish 35 structures in Area C and East Jerusalem, in the West Bank, including 13 residential structures, citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain. Eight of the structures were provided by donors as humanitarian assistance. Twenty-seven of the structures were in Area C, including seven (all donor-funded) demolished in a single incident in Mantiqat Shib al Butum in southern Hebron.

UN OCHA reports that between 31 January – 13 February 2023, the Israeli authorities demolished, confiscated, or forced people to demolish 30 structures in East Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank, including nine homes, citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain. Two of the structures were provided by donors as humanitarian assistance. As a result, 55 Palestinians, including 31 children, were displaced, and the livelihoods of more than 100 others were affected.

UN OCHA reports that between 10 January 2023 – 30 January 2023, Israeli authorities demolished, confiscated or forced owners to demolish 27 Palestinian homes and buildings in Area C and East Jerusalem, displacing 50 people, including 22 children.

Article 27 of the UNCRC protects children’s right to a standard of living and seeks to ensure that this standard is adequate with respect to the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral, and social development. The UNCRC further adds that State Parties are responsible for taking appropriate measures to provide assistance in respect to nutrition, clothing and housing. The actions of the Government of Israel in rendering children and their parents homeless and disrupting families’ livelihoods through demolitions of homes, clearly violates both the letter and the spirit of the UNCRC.

Article 18(2) of the UNCRC obliges State Parties to give appropriate assistance to parents and legal guardians in the performance of their child-rearing responsibilities. Demolitions and subsequent forced displacement violate this right as it harms parents and legal guardians’ ability to fulfil their responsibilities of looking after and providing shelter for their children.

Article 16(1) of the UNCRC protects children’s rights to not be subject to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family and home and Article 16(2) entitles children to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks. Demolitions affect this right as it physically displaces children from their family homes without first giving them access to a legal system through which they could challenge such actions.

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