World Children’s Day: Palestinian ministry demands international protection for children
Anadolu
On World Children’s Day, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates called for urgent international measures to protect Palestinian children, decrying the severe humanitarian crisis and rights violations they face.
The ministry highlighted alarming statistics on child fatalities due to the occupation, describing the situation as evidence of “genocide targeting innocent people indiscriminately.”
Gaza’s children are among the most vulnerable, enduring acute shortages of food and clean water that place their lives in imminent danger.
In the West Bank, Palestinian children face widespread detentions and military trials that contravene their fundamental rights.
According to the ministry, 85% of detained children experience harsh treatment, including being blindfolded, handcuffed, and subjected to nighttime arrests — practices that violate international norms, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In Jerusalem, restrictive measures have led to the house arrest of at least 70 Palestinians, including children, since October 2023.
The ministry also condemned a November 2024 Israeli law permitting the detention of children under 14 convicted of “terrorist” activities, labeling it a dangerous escalation undermining children’s rights.
The ministry further criticized restrictions on UNRWA, which disrupt essential services for Palestinian children, such as healthcare and education.
It urged the global community to pressure Israel into adhering to its obligations under international treaties, emphasizing the need for immediate action to protect children and uphold their rights.
