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As of 31 December, DCI /PS has documented the injury of 2,524 Palestinian children at the hands of Israeli forces or settlers in 2002. Operation Defensive Shield involving the Israeli invasion of Palestinian “ A ” areas in March/April 2002, caused the highest rate of child casualties; indeed 27% of all injuries took place over that two month period. The use of increased force against the Palestinian population from that time, has been reflected in rising numbers of child injuries caused by heavy weaponry, live bullets and shrapnel, rather than the light weaponry usually associated with civilian law and order.
In terms of location, Nablus and Hebron are the foremost danger spots for Palestinian children in the West Bank. However, the crowded streets of Gaza have been the most dangerous location for children throughout the al- Aqsa intifida , witnessing 635 injuries in 2002, alongside 84 deaths.
Breakdown according to District
DISTRICT |
NUMBER |
Hebron |
469 |
Jerusalem |
11 |
Bethlehem |
25 |
Ramallah |
245 |
Gaza |
635 |
Qalqilya |
35 |
Nablus |
627 |
Tulkarem |
288 |
Jenin |
183 |
Jericho |
6 |
TOTAL |
2524 |
Breakdown according to Age Group
AGE GROU P |
NUMBER |
PERCENTAGE |
0-8 years |
403 |
16% |
9-12 years |
584 |
23% |
13-15 years |
830 |
33% |
16-17 years |
707 |
28% |
TOTAL |
2524 |
100% |
Breakdown of Injury by Means
CAUSE OF INJURY |
NUMBER |
PERCENTAGE |
Live bullets |
497 |
19.7% |
Steel bullets |
202 |
8% |
Gas |
90 |
3.6% |
Shrapnel* |
619 |
24.5% |
UXO |
43 |
1.7% |
Beating |
451 |
17.9% |
Trauma |
17 |
0.7% |
Machine Gun |
5 |
0.2% |
Fall |
410 |
16.2% |
House Demolition |
25 |
1.0% |
More than one |
30 |
1.2% |
Other |
135 |
5.3% |
TOTAL |
2524 |
100% |
• These cases include children who have died from shrapnel from live bullets, machine guns, rocket fragments, or from exploding cans.
Breakdown according to Location of Injury
LOCATION |
NUMBER |
PERCENTAGE |
More than one location |
502 |
19.9% |
Head |
339 |
13.4% |
Chest |
59 |
2.3% |
Back |
67 |
2.7% |
Eyes |
72 |
2.9% |
Neck |
22 |
0.9% |
Abdomen |
55 |
2.2% |
Limbs |
906 |
35.9% |
Pelvis |
21 |
0.8% |
Asphyxiation |
89 |
3.5% |
Bruises |
340 |
13.5% |
Panic attack |
52 |
2.1% |
TOTAL |
2524 |
100% |
Breakdown by Month (until 31 December 2002)
MONTH |
NUMBER |
PERCENTAGE |
January |
87 |
3.4% |
February |
147 |
5.8% |
March |
360 |
14.3% |
April |
318 |
12.6% |
May |
212 |
8.4% |
June |
165 |
6.5% |
July |
175 |
6.9% |
August |
233 |
9.2% |
September |
263 |
10.4% |
October |
236 |
9.4% |
November |
158 |
6.3% |
December |
170 |
6.7% |
TOTAL |
2524 |
100% |
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