UNICEF Expresses Alarm Over Escalating Violence and Child Casualties in the West Bank.
Amman:
UNICEF has issued a stark warning regarding the ongoing escalation of violence in the West Bank, which continues to claim the lives of civilians, including women and children. The latest incidents highlight the tragic toll the violence is taking on vulnerable populations, with several deaths reported in recent weeks.
On 7 February, a 10-year-old Palestinian boy tragically died from wounds inflicted by a reported gunshot. Just two days later, another heartbreaking incident occurred in the Nur Shams refugee camp, where an eight-month pregnant woman was shot and killed, along with her unborn baby. This violence is part of a broader and worrying trend, with the number of Palestinian children killed continuing to rise.
According to UNICEF, In the first two months of 2025 alone, 13 Palestinian children have lost their lives in the West Bank, including seven children who have been killed since 19 January, following a large-scale military operation in the northern part of the territory. Among those killed was a two-and-a-half-year-old child, whose mother, who was pregnant, was also injured in the shooting.
Since 7 October 2023, a total of 195 Palestinian children and three Israeli children have been killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Alarmingly, this marks a staggering 200 percent increase in the number of Palestinian child fatalities over the past 16 months compared to the same period before the escalation.
UNICEF has expressed deep concern over the rising violence, particularly in the northern West Bank, especially in the Jenin area. The use of explosive weapons, airstrikes, and demolitions in densely populated areas such as refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas Governorates has resulted in severe damage to essential infrastructure, including water and electricity supplies. The ongoing conflict has displaced thousands of families, further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.
Education has been significantly disrupted, with nearly 100 schools affected by the violence, leaving both students and teachers unable to attend classes safely. This disruption is putting additional strain on children, who are already facing profound psychological and social stress. Many children living in these affected areas urgently need mental health and psychosocial support to cope with the trauma of the violence.
UNICEF strongly condemns all acts of violence against children and calls for an immediate cessation of armed activities across the occupied West Bank. The organization emphasizes that all civilians, especially children, must be protected under international law. It further stresses the need for humanitarian organizations to have safe and unhindered access to deliver life-saving assistance and protection services to those in need.
The agency also reiterates the urgent need for all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. UNICEF continues to advocate for a lasting political solution, supported by the international community, to ensure that all children in the region can live in peace and safety.
UNICEF remains committed to working alongside its partners to address both the immediate and long-term needs of children and families affected by the crisis in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
