Archive · 30 Aug 2026
West Bank Child Killings Rise Amid Israeli Military Operations
A report says more Palestinian children and teenagers have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since the Gaza war began.
Two groups counted slightly different totals, with 235 and 250 deaths reported through June 2026.
This is much higher than the average number recorded in earlier years.
Some families said their children were killed during clashes between soldiers and Palestinian youths.
Other families said soldiers fired at people who were not involved in fighting.
The Israeli military gave different explanations for some of the shootings.
Families said they want full investigations and justice.
The article describes the emotional and physical effects these deaths have had on surviving relatives.
B’Tselem reported 235 Palestinian children and teenagers killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank from October 7, 2023, through June 2026.
A Palestinian Authority commission reported a higher total of 250 deaths during the same period.
B’Tselem’s figures indicate an average of about seven child or teenage deaths per month since October 7, compared with roughly one per month from 2005 to 2021.
Families told AFP that children were killed during confrontations, alleged indiscriminate shootings, or incidents involving Israeli military patrols.
The Israeli military said soldiers fired at suspects throwing rocks in one case and at a vehicle it said accelerated toward troops in another.
- Who
- Palestinian children and teenagers, their families, Israeli forces, Palestinian officials, and Israeli rights group B’Tselem.
- What
- Deaths of Palestinian children and teenagers in the West Bank have increased since October 7, 2023, according to reported figures.
- When
- From October 7, 2023, through June 2026; the article also compares this period with 2005–2021.
- Where
- The occupied West Bank, including Al-Rihiya, Hebron, Bethlehem, and other locations.
- Why
- The reported deaths occurred during military confrontations, alleged shootings of uninvolved civilians, and incidents involving youths throwing rocks; the Israeli military and Palestinian witnesses sometimes gave conflicting accounts.
Palestinian families and rights groups
Israeli military
Circumstances of shootings
Palestinian families and rights groups
Witnesses and relatives said some children were killed by indiscriminate fire or while they were uninvolved, including a baby who was in a car with his mother.
Israeli military
The military said soldiers fired during an altercation involving suspects throwing rocks and, in another case, after a vehicle accelerated toward troops.
Accountability
Palestinian families and rights groups
Families and Palestinian interviewees said Palestinians do not receive justice and urged full investigations into the deaths.
Israeli military
The military said it conducted a preliminary investigation into the shooting of Sam Abu Haikal, but the article does not report its final outcome.
Scale of the deaths
Palestinian families and rights groups
B’Tselem and a Palestinian government commission reported 235 and 250 Palestinian children and teenagers killed, respectively, since October 7, 2023.
Israeli military
The Israeli military commander for the West Bank said 42 Palestinians were killed for throwing stones in 2025, without specifying how many were minors.
- B’Tselem count
- 235 Palestinian children and teenagers killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank from October 7, 2023, through June 2026, including five killed by Israeli settlers.
- Palestinian Authority count
- The Colonisation and Wall Resistance Commission reported 250 deaths during the same period.
- Earlier average
- B’Tselem recorded roughly one Palestinian child or teenager killed by Israeli forces per month between 2005 and 2021.
- Post-October 7 average
- B’Tselem’s figures amount to about seven child or teenage deaths per month after October 7, 2023.
- Children’s ages
- Among 54 children or teenagers reportedly killed last year, the youngest was two years old and most were between 14 and 17.
- Documented cases
- The article describes Mohammed Hallaq, who was nine, and Sam Abu Haikal, who was seven months old, among the casualties.
- Military position
- The Israeli military said soldiers fired at suspects throwing rocks in one case and at a vehicle that accelerated toward troops in another.