Israeli occupation killed 78 Palestinian children, maimed another 982, and detained 637 in 2021

NEW YORK, Jul.12, ( ST)- The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said yesterday in the annual “Children and Armed Conflict” report that the Israeli occupation forces killed 78 Palestinian children, maimed another 982, and detained 637 in 2021.

The UN chief said he was “shocked by the killing and injuring of Palestinian children by Israeli forces in airstrikes on densely populated areas, through the use of live ammunition, and at the continued lack of accountability for these violations.”

He reiterated his call for “the Israeli occupation forces to exercise maximum restraint in order to protect lives and to put in place preventive measures, and to review and strengthen their procedures to end and prevent any excessive use of force against children” in an unprecedented warning.

In his report, the Secretary-General expressed his concern over “the increasing Israeli attacks on schools and educational institutions that serve children,” stressing the need to provide the necessary humanitarian and health assistance to children without any Israeli obstacles.

The report added that at least 2,425 girls and 13,663 boys were victims of verified violations which included abductions, sexual violence, school, and hospital attacks, and denial of aid during conflicts during the last year.

Edited by: Basma Qaddour