Jenin, 16-year-old Palestinian victim of Israeli army raid
The army says it is "aware" of the death and "the incident" is being "reviewed". A patrol reportedly fired during the arrest of three militiamen, hitting the young girl. At least 6,500 Israeli Security Forces round-ups in 2022, at least 153 Palestinian women and 811 Palestinian minors arrested. 2,134 administrative detention orders issued.
Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - Yet another Palestinian child victim in the West Bank. In a raid by the Israeli Security Forces in Jenin yesterday, the military shot dead a young girl only 16 years old.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported teh death, confirming an escalation of violence in the region, and an ever-increasing number of deaths, in the year that is drawing to a close; violence, however, largely passed over in silence and inertia on the part of the international community, which is more occupied on other fronts, starting with the Russian war in Ukraine.
In a note, the Israeli army states that it is 'aware' of the killing of the girl and that 'the incident' is being 'reviewed'. A military patrol reportedly opened fire during an operation aimed at arresting three wanted men who allegedly resisted, triggering a firefight in which the 16-year-old girl was involved.
Jenin, in the north of the West Bank, is home to a vast refugee camp in which armed militant groups, including Islamic Jihad and Hamas, operate and was the scene of the killing of, among others, Palestinian Christian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
Together with neighbouring Nablus, it is at the heart of much of the violence in the West Bank this year, as well as being the scene of incursions and raids by Israeli security forces on an almost daily basis. The army operations are a response to the series of deadly attacks by Palestinian bombers in Israel last spring.
In one of the most violent years of the last decade, the Palestinian authorities speak of at least 165 militants and civilians killed by the Israeli Security Forces. On the other side, there are 31 victims in Israel, 23 civilians and eight soldiers.
Clashes and violence between Palestinians and Jewish settlers in the territories are also on the rise, with the risk of a further escalation with the next government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the most right-wing government ever in the country's history.
The explosive situation is also reflected in the numbers. According to the Palestinian Prisoner Society, the Israeli military has carried out at least 6,500 round-ups in the Palestinian territories since the beginning of 2022. "Among those apprehended," the NGO explains, "are at least 153 women and 811 minors.
The study also shows that the Israeli authorities have issued 2,134 administrative detention orders to Palestinians, without having formalised any charges or trial. The controversial measure allows anyone to be detained for six months without charge or trial, extending the detention indefinitely.
According to Palestinian sources, there are currently around 4,700 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails, of which 835 are being held without charge or trial.
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