Number of Palestinian children in administrative detention quadrupled since last year
Defense for Children International October 16, 2024—The number of Palestinian children in administrative detention as of the end of September has nearly quadrupled since the same time last year.
Israeli forces are holding 85 Palestinian children in administrative detention as of September 30, representing 35 percent of all Palestinian children held in Israeli military detention, according to the latest information shared by the Israel Prison Service. This is a record number since Defense for Children International – Palestine began monitoring child administrative detainees in 2008.
“Israeli forces are arbitrarily detaining Palestinian children without charge or trial at a rate we have never seen before,” said Ayed Abu Eqtaish, accountability program director at DCIP. “Palestinian children held under administrative detention orders issued by Israeli military commanders have no idea when they will be released and reunite with their friends and family, which causes immense stress, anxiety, and depression for the children.”
Israeli forces were holding 23 Palestinian children in administrative detention as of September 30, 2023, representing 15 percent of all Palestinian children held in Israeli military detention at the time, according to data from the Israel Prison Service.
The number of child administrative detainees has rapidly climbed since October 7, 2023, when Israeli forces sharply escalated arrest operations throughout the occupied West Bank. Palestinian child detainees have consistently reported increased instances of ill-treatment and torture alongside deteriorating prison conditions since October 7, according to documentation collected by DCIP.
All 85 child administrative detainees are 16 or 17 years old, according to data shared by the Israel Prison Service. Palestinian children as young as 12 are subject to arrest and prosecution by the Israeli military, as 12 is the age of criminal responsibility under Israeli military law