Occupation Crimes

Stripped, beaten and blindfolded: new research reveals ongoing violence and abuse of Palestinian children detained by Israeli military

  Did you know that Palestinian children who are taken into custody by the Israeli military are facing some really terrible things? A recent study by Save the Children found that a lot of these kids are being beaten up, stripped-searched, and treated very badly.

The research shows that a shocking 86% of these children are beaten, and 69% of them are strip-searched.   Almost half of them, about 42%, are even injured when they are arrested. Some of them have gunshot wounds or broken bones! It's really awful.

A Cry for Help

Save the Children is speaking up about this issue because they think it's a big problem. They want the Israeli government to stop detaining Palestinian children under military law and to stop prosecuting them in military courts. They believe that these practices are a violation of human rights.

Save the Children talked to 228 kids who had been detained in the past, and they found out some really disturbing things. Most of these children were beaten, handcuffed, and blindfolded when they were arrested. They were also questioned in secret places without their parents or guardians present. And sometimes, they were even denied food, water, and sleep, or access to a lawyer. Can you imagine going through all of that?

One boy named Khalil, who was only 13 when he was detained, said that he didn't receive the medical care he needed. He had an injury in his leg and had to crawl because he didn't have crutches. He asked the soldiers for help, but they ignored him. It's really heartbreaking to hear stories like this.

The Lasting Impact

Save the Children's research shows that the abuse these children experience during detention has a big impact on them. Many of them have trouble recovering from it. They have nightmares more often, and they struggle with sleeping. It's really sad to think about how this affects their lives even after they are released.

Another boy named Mohammed, who was detained when he was 14, has become so scared that he doesn't want to leave his house. He feels like the soldiers are coming for him again. It's really hard for him and his family.

What Needs to Change

Save the Children is calling on the Israeli government to respect the rights of all children and to follow international law. They believe that no child should be prosecuted in military courts or any court that doesn't treat them fairly. They want the Israeli military to stop arresting, detaining, and prosecuting children right away.

This is a really serious issue, and it's important for us to be aware of what's happening in the world. We need to stand up for the rights of all children, no matter where they come from. Let's hope that things can change for the better and that all children can live in peace and safety.