Israel has detained 400 Palestinian children this year

Israel has detained 400 Palestinian children this year
Israeli forces have arrested at least 400 Palestinians since the start of this year.
2 min read
20 November, 2020
Palestinian children are being arrested by Israel [Getty]

At least 400 Palestinian children were arrested by Israeli forces since the start of 2020, according to the Palestinian Prisoners' Society (PSS).

The group released a statement on Thursday to mark this week's International Children's Day, highlighting the children who have been victim to the Israeli occupation. 

"The Israeli occupation authorities have arrested 400 Palestinian children under the age-of-18 since the beginning of this year, most of them from East Jerusalem," the group said.

"The Israeli authorities continue to hold 170 Palestinian children in their prisons."

"Israel is committing various violations against Palestinian children during their detention, including preventing them from completing their studies, depriving some of them of family visits in prison, and isolating them in individual cells," the statement added. 

The most common charge against Palestinian children is stone-throwing, considered a security offence by Israel.

Children can spend up to 20 years in jail if found guilty of this charge, depending on their age.

Israel's prisoner population numbers around 5,700 Palestinians, including 200 children, 44 women, five members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, and 27 journalists.

Around 470 Palestinian prisoners are held in "administrative detention" - without charge or trial, according to reports.

Under the administrative detention order, Israel detains Palestinians for six months at a time, which can be extended indefinitely.

Israel has illegally occupied the West Bank since 1967 and is accused of various abuses against Palestinian civilians.

In April, the UN Human Rights Council and the Red Cross urged Israel to release vulnerable prisoners, saying that they were at danger of contracting coronavirus, although there was no response from Israeli authorities.

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