41 children killed in West Bank since 7 October, charity says

At least 41 children have been killed in the occupied West Bank since the escalation of violence that started on 7 October, while thousands of children’s lives continue to be cut short by ongoing bombardment of Gaza, Save the Children said.

According to the Ministry of Health, 3,760 children have been killed in Gaza. Settler-related violence and resulting forced displacement have also soared, with the UN reporting an average of seven incidents a day since 7 October, resulting in Palestinian casualties or damage to Palestinian property, compared to three incidents a day since the beginning of the year. At least 111 families, including 356 children, in the West Bank, have been displaced since the beginning of the ongoing escalation.

Since 2022, nearly 2,000 Palestinians have been displaced amid settler violence, with a 43 per cent increase in settler-driven displacement since 7 October. Violence has also spilled into the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, where at least 23,000 are registered to live.

The most recent incident occurred on 2 November during a raid by Israeli occupation forces, where five Palestinians were reported killed in the sixth raid in two weeks on Jenin.

Sixteen-year-old Lara (not her real name), from Jenin, said: “My feeling is the same as every time, of course I feel unsafe and scared. But this time I felt it was more intense, scarier. Because I feel I am more exposed to danger, as well as my parents, my loved ones and friends. And the loud noises frighten me, especially the sounds of sirens and bombs.”

Previous research conducted by Save the Children in the West Bank shows that “being forced from their homes cripples children’s sense of safety, leads to severe emotional distress, and leaves them cut off from their friends and communities.”

Save the Children’s Country Director for the occupied Palestinian territory, Jason Lee, said: “Children across the occupied Palestinian territory are increasingly caught up in a horrifying spiral of violence, while the world is watching. But the conflict’s devastating impact on children did not start on 7 October. Violence and displacement have been ongoing for years, with children paying the highest price for a conflict they have no part in.”

By September this was already the deadliest year on record for children in the West Bank, and we’re nearing the same number in less than a month.

“Time and time again, children are shot at, locked-up, harassed. This has to stop.”

“The international community must use its influence to ensure that international law is respected, as is their obligation,” he added.

READ: Several killed in Israel bombing of Jabalia school sheltering displaced in Gaza