Rights Group Says Israel Detained 1,700 Palestinian Children in West Bank

Rights Group Says Israel Detained 1,700 Palestinian Children in West Bank
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The Palestinian Center for Prisoners’ Defense reported that Israeli forces have detained around 1,700 Palestinian children in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, along with dozens more in Gaza, where information about some detainees remains limited.

In a report titled “The Reality of Palestinian Children’s Detention in Israeli Prisons,” the group said it has documented more than 55,500 cases of child detention since 1967. It added that approximately 350 children are currently being held, including those serving sentences and others in administrative detention without formal charges.

According to the report, arrests are often carried out during nighttime raids, with children allegedly detained while handcuffed and blindfolded. The organization cited testimonies claiming that some detainees faced physical abuse during arrest and transfer, as well as prolonged interrogations without the presence of legal counsel or family members.

The report also raised concerns over detention conditions, alleging the use of solitary confinement, sleep deprivation, and inadequate medical care. It further highlighted issues such as poor nutrition and unsanitary conditions, which it said could negatively affect children’s health and development.

Israeli authorities have not immediately commented on the report’s findings.