52 Palestinian children killed by Israel since beginning of 2018, says rights group

Rasa A renowned children rights NGO says the Israeli military troopers have shot and killed more than 50 Palestinian children in the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip so far this year.

News ID: 441639

Date: 21 November 2018 - 14:05

RNA - Defense for Children International - Palestine reported on Monday that 52 Palestinian children lost their lives due to Israeli soldiers’ live fire since January, 46 of whom killed in the blockaded enclave, mostly during anti-occupation protests.

According to the report, 18 of these children were shot in the head, 9 were shot in the chest, 7 were shot in the belly, 5 were shot in the neck and the rest sustained fatal injuries in other parts of their bodies.

Figures show that more than 2100 Palestinian children have been killed and over 13,000 wounded by Israeli live bullets since the outbreak of al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000.

The NGO also called for the arrest of Israeli soldiers, who kill or maim Palestinian children in clear violation of international law.

Nearly 240 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces ever since anti-occupation protest rallies began in the Gaza Strip on March 30. Over 22,000 Palestinians have also sustained injuries.

According to Press TV, the Gaza clashes reached their peak on May 14, on the eve of the 70th anniversary of Nakba Day (Day of Catastrophe), which coincided this year with the US embassy relocation from Tel Aviv to occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds.

On June 13, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, sponsored by Turkey and Algeria, condemning Israel for Palestinian civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip.

The resolution, which had been put forward on behalf of Arab and Muslim countries, garnered a strong majority of 120 votes in the 193-member assembly, with 8 votes against and 45 abstentions.

The resolution called on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to make proposals within 60 days “on ways and means for ensuring the safety, protection, and well-being of the Palestinian civilian population under Israeli occupation,” including “recommendations regarding an international protection mechanism.”

It also called for “immediate steps towards ending the closure and the restrictions imposed by Israel on movement and access into and out of the Gaza Strip.”

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