Children in the OPT

Recently I wrote a book review over "Stolen Youth: The Politics of Israel's Detention of Palestinian Children" which will be posted in the coming days. However, the book was published in 2004, and I couldn't help but wonder about what has occurred during the past seven years.

Here is what I found:

Between 2004 and August 2011 Defense for Children International (DCI) have documented the death of approximately 836 children as a result of military and/or settlers presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Their deaths have occurred in circumstances ranging from air and ground attacks, during assassination attempts, random gun fire, road closures, unexploded ordances and in clashes. Of these:

161 were eight or younger
137 were between nine and 12
263 were between 13 and 15
275 were between 16 and 18

Between 2008 and August 2011 (DCI) has recorded the presence of approximately 17,087 children in Israeli detention with roughly 1,600 being between the ages of 12-15.

Since 2004 DCI has recorded 17 instances where Palestinian children were used by Israeli soldiers as Human Shields. The youngest involved a nine year old child forced at gunpoint to search bags thought to contain explosives.

73 children have reported being either killed or injured by settler attacks. However, DCI is quick to note that these numbers do not begin to reflect the total number of instances involving children.

After reading all that you are probably wondering who Defense of Children International is and why you should believe them. Well, DCI is an international organization that currently enjoys consultative status with groups such as the United Nations Economic and Social Council, UNICEF, UNESCO and the Council of Europe. It was created in 1979. Then in 1992, DCI/PS, PS referring to the Palestinian branch of the DCI’s organization, was established, making it one of 45 national branches that make up DC.

All this information can be found on their website: Defense for Children International Palestine Section