West Bank Children Face Escalating Protection Crisis Amid Violence and Displacement
West Bank Children Face Escalating Protection Crisis Amid Violence and Displacement
——————————–
Children across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are confronting an escalating protection crisis driven by increased settler violence, military operations, detentions, and forced displacement, according to a new report from ReliefWeb.
The period between October 2023 and May 2025 saw a dramatic 169% increase in child fatalities compared to the preceding 20 months, with 214 children killed. Airstrikes, including drone attacks, accounted for one-fifth of these deaths. The crisis has also led to the forced displacement of over 32,000 people, disproportionately affecting children in northern governorates such as Jenin and Tulkarm.
Beyond physical harm, children are experiencing significant psychological distress, manifesting as anxiety, PTSD symptoms, depression, and social withdrawal, particularly among boys aged 7 to 12. The report, drawing on data from the CP AoR Protection Cluster and UNICEF, underscores the severe and intensifying risks faced by Palestinian children in the region.
