At least 34 Palestinian children were killed by the Israeli army in 2023 alone: Human Rights Watch 

Although 2022 was the bloodiest year for Palestinian children in 15 years, it seems that the current 2023 year will witness more tragic killings against unarmed Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, according to an international human rights organisation. 

"Since the beginning of the 2023 year, at least 34 Palestinian children were killed in cold blood by the Israeli army without any accountability in the cities of the occupied West Bank," Human Rights Watch said in its latest report issued on Sunday, 27 August. 

Based on its monitoring of the situation in the West Bank, the HRW documented some of the killings carried out by the Israeli army against Palestinian children. 

The Israeli army deliberately used excessive force against Palestinians, including children, in circumstances in which the use of lethal force was not justified under international standards, according to the HRW.

The HRW stressed that "at least 614 Palestinians classified by the United Nations as civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank were killed by the army during 15 years."

However, only three soldiers were convicted of killing Palestinians, and they were all sentenced to short sentences, according to the Israeli organisation Yesh Din. 

The killings occurred in a context where the Israeli authorities committed crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution of Palestinians, including children, as documented by HRW. 

"The Security Council authorised the Secretary-General of the United Nations to prepare regulations listing the military forces and armed groups responsible for grave violations against children in armed conflict between 2015 and 2022," the HRW noted. 

The United Nations attributed more than 8,700 child casualties to Israeli forces, but Israel was excluded from the list, the HRW added. 

The HRW pointed out that the Israeli army does not automatically open criminal investigations in cases where soldiers use lethal force against Palestinians in the West Bank, even in case of a complaint.

The HRW confirmed that international human rights standards prohibit law enforcement officials from "intentionally using lethal firearms" except in cases where it is "strictly unavoidable to protect life."

Bill van Esveld, co-director of the group's Child Rights Division, said in a press statement that the army's rate of killing Palestinian children has significantly increased, warning that more children would be killed if Israel stays without any accountability. 

 "Unless Israel's allies, particularly the United States, press Israel to change course, more Palestinian children will be killed," Esveld said.

"Palestinians in the West Bank enjoy protection under the Geneva Conventions and international human rights law; governments must ensure effective remedies for individuals to claim their rights, including the right to life," he stressed. 

He called on the Israeli army to end the illegal use of lethal force against Palestinians, including children, and on the Israeli government to issue clear public and confidential directives to all forces prohibiting the deliberate use of deadly force.