Table of Contents
West Bank: Spike in Israeli Killings of Palestinian Children
End Systematic Impunity for Unlawful Lethal Force
The Current Situation
The Israeli military and border police forces have been involved in a disturbing trend of killing Palestinian children without facing any accountability. According to Human Rights Watch, the year 2022 marked the deadliest year for Palestinian children in the West Bank in 15 years, and 2023 is set to surpass or equal those numbers. As of August 22, Israeli forces have already killed at least 34 Palestinian children in the West Bank.
Human Rights Watch conducted an investigation into four fatal shootings of Palestinian children by Israeli forces between November 2022 and March 2023. The findings reveal a pattern of Israeli forces using lethal force against Palestinian children in situations where they do not pose an imminent threat of injury or death, which is the standard for the use of lethal force by law enforcement officers under international norms. These killings are therefore deemed unlawful.
The cases include the killing of Mahmoud al-Sadi, 17, who was shot by Israeli forces as he walked to school near the Jenin refugee camp on November 21, 2022. It was found that he was not holding any weapon or projectile and was shot after the sounds of shooting had stopped and Israeli forces were withdrawing.
In another case, Wadea Abu Ramuz, 17, was shot from behind while he was with a group of youths throwing rocks and launching fireworks at Border Police vehicles in East Jerusalem on January 25, 2023. The Israeli forces not only shot Wadea but also subjected him to mistreatment, including shackling him to his hospital bed, beating him, and preventing his relatives from visiting him.
Mohammed al-Sleem, 17, was shot in the back while running from Israeli soldiers after a group of friends he was with threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at military vehicles near his hometown of Azzun in the northern West Bank. Three other children were also shot and wounded with automatic gunfire while trying to escape.
Adam Ayyad, 15, was fatally shot from behind in Deheisheh refugee camp on January 3 while he was with a group of boys throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli forces. The soldiers also shot and wounded a 13-year-old boy.
These cases serve as clear evidence of the routine and unlawful use of lethal force against Palestinian children by Israeli forces. It is crucial to examine the implications of these killings and the need for accountability.
Legal and Ethical Violations
The unlawful killings of Palestinian children by Israeli forces raise serious legal and ethical concerns. International human rights standards prohibit law enforcement officials from using lethal force unless it is strictly unavoidable to protect life. The intentional or reckless use of lethal force against individuals who do not pose an immediate threat to life is considered a war crime. Under international law, governments are obligated to ensure that individuals have accessible and effective remedies to vindicate their rights, including the right to life.
However, Israeli authorities have routinely failed to hold their forces accountable for their actions. From 2017 to 2021, fewer than one percent of complaints against Israeli military forces resulted in indictments. Israeli forces have killed at least 614 Palestinians classified as civilians by the UN in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank between 2017 and 2021, yet only three soldiers were convicted for killing Palestinians during that period. This lack of accountability perpetuates a culture of impunity and enables further violations of Palestinian rights.
The Role of the International Community
The international community, particularly Israel’s allies, must increase pressure on Israel to end the routine use of unlawful lethal force against Palestinians, including children. Countries such as the United States, which provides significant military aid to Israel, should condition their assistance on concrete and verifiable steps towards ending serious human rights abuses by Israeli forces. The Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Occupation Act (H.R. 2590) in the US House of Representatives is a step in the right direction in holding Israel accountable for its actions.
The United Nations Secretary-General, as well as the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, also have a role to play in addressing these violations. The Secretary-General should list Israel’s armed forces in his annual report on grave violations against children in armed conflict for 2023, highlighting their responsibility for the killing and maiming of Palestinian children. The ICC should expedite its investigation into serious crimes committed in Palestine, including grave violations against children.
It is essential for the international community to uphold the principles of human rights and justice and to take decisive action to end the cycle of violence and impunity that has persisted for far too long.
Conclusion
The spike in Israeli killings of Palestinian children in the West Bank is deeply troubling and warrants urgent attention. The routine and unlawful use of lethal force against Palestinian children by Israeli forces is a clear violation of international law and fundamental human rights principles.
The international community has a responsibility to address this issue and hold Israel accountable for its actions. Israel’s allies, such as the United States, should use their influence to exert pressure on Israel to end the practice of unlawful killings. The UN should include Israel’s armed forces in its annual report on grave violations against children, and the ICC should expedite its investigation into crimes committed in Palestine.
It is only through comprehensive and sustained efforts to end the cycle of violence and impunity that a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be achieved. The lives and rights of Palestinian children must not be forgotten or ignored in this process.
<< photo by Ketut Subiyanto >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.