Since 2007, a UNICEF-led working group has consolidated efforts to report on the impacts of armed conflict on children in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). The bulletin is published on a bi-monthly basis highlighting trends and patterns in grave violations against children.
Members of the working group include: Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights, Save the Children, DCI-Palestine, B’Tselem,
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, War Child Holland, OCHA, OHCHR, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNRWA and WHO.
This edition covers the year 2011.
Grave violations against Israeli and Palestinian children in 2011
In 2011, children were significantly affected by the situation of conflict in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel. Of significant concern is the increased number of Palestinian children killed and injured during Israeli military operations and as a result of violence by Israeli Settlers in the West Bank. There was also a sharp increase in the number of children forcibly displaced, more than double the number of children displaced in 2010, as a result of demolitions of Palestinian structures, in particular homes. Palestinian children were killed and injured during Israeli military operations in Gaza, including in the Access Restricted Areas (ARA).
A number of Israeli children were killed and injured by Palestinian armed groups, including in the context of attacks on schools. Access to education for Israeli children was hampered several times in southern Israel due to school closure to ensure the students safety due to rockets fired from Gaza. All parties to the conflict have an obligation to prevent violations, protect civilians and provide effective remedy for victims of violations of the law. This includes ensuring that any and all reported violations are subject to timely, independent, impartial and thorough investigations that meet international standards and ensure accountability.
