Surge in Violence Leaves Palestinian Children in West Bank in Constant Fear

A sharp rise in violence against Palestinian children in the occupied West Bank has resulted in nearly half of all child fatalities recorded since 2005 occurring in just the past two years, according to Save the Children. The organization warns that the intensifying attacks have left children and families living under constant fear.

Since January 2023, at least 224 Palestinian children have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers, making up nearly half of the 468 child deaths documented in the West Bank over the past 19 years, according to data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

This year alone, at least ten children—including a two-year-old—are among 70 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank, making January one of the deadliest months on record for children. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 309 people, including 57 children, were also injured.

“Not an Active Conflict, But an Occupation”

The violence in the West Bank has escalated despite a pause in hostilities in Gaza, raising concerns over the use of excessive force by Israeli authorities.

“Children in the West Bank are still being killed, just as they have been for the past 16 months and for decades before,” said Ahmad Alhendawi, Middle East regional director at Save the Children.

Alhendawi emphasized that the West Bank is under occupation, not an active war zone, meaning Israeli forces should operate under international human rights law. However, he noted that Israeli troops have been using military tactics and air strikes—methods designed for war—to kill and maim children.

Increase in Air Strikes and Forced Displacement

The West Bank has seen a 20-fold increase in Palestinian children killed by air strikes. Between 2005 and October 7, 2023, only one child had been killed by an air strike. Since then, that number has surged.

In 2024, Israeli forces have carried out 152 air strikes, including 82 on densely populated refugee camps such as Jenin and Tulkarm, according to United Nations reports. These attacks have destroyed homes, schools, and other civilian infrastructure, forcing thousands to flee.

OCHA also recorded the highest levels of displacement, home demolitions, and settler violence in 2024, with 4,250 Palestinians displaced, 1,760 structures destroyed, and 1,400 settler attacks reported.

“This raises serious concerns about excessive use of force and war-like tactics, which contradict international human rights laws and standards,” Save the Children warned in a statement.

Children Living in Fear

With increasing movement restrictions, daily life has become even more difficult for Palestinian families. Nearly 900 new military checkpoints and barriers have been installed since October 7, 2023, preventing families from traveling for work, school, or medical care. Reports indicate that children and humanitarian workers sometimes wait at checkpoints for up to 12 hours.

“We are scared,” an eight-year-old Palestinian girl from Jenin Refugee Camp told Save the Children. “There’s a lot of mud, bullets, and tear gas. Our school isn’t safe—it’s close to the army. I was sitting here, and the window shook, and the glass fell. Every day, there is the sound of drones. We’ve kind of gotten used to it a little.”

As violence continues to escalate, humanitarian organizations warn that the international community must take urgent action to protect Palestinian children from the increasingly militarized operations in the West Bank.