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As of the 1st of May 2003 , DCI /PS has documented the injury of 679 Palestinian children at the hands of Israeli forces or settlers over the first four months of the year.
The use of increased force against the Palestinian population that started with the incursions of Operation Defensive Shield last year is still very evident today. This has been reflected by rising numbers of child injuries and deaths (see other statistics) caused by heavy weaponry, live bullets and shrapnel, rather than the light weaponry usually associated with civilian law and order. Moreover, the high rate of children injured in more than one part of the body, supports the contention that the Israeli military are not showing restraint in their use of force, even in areas where children are found.
In terms of locations, Nablus and Hebron are the foremost danger spots for Palestinian children in the West Bank . However, the crowded streets of Gaza remain the most dangerous location for children, recording 270 child injuries over the first four months of 2003 alone. Gaza also holds the record for child deaths; 61% of all child deaths to mid-June 2003, have occurred in this small crowded piece of land.
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 |
107 |
Jerusalem |
3 |
Bethlehem |
2 |
Ramallah |
32 |
Gaza |
270 |
Qalqilya |
11 |
Nablus |
161 |
Tulkarem |
85 |
Jenin |
7 |
Jericho |
1 |
TOTAL |
679 |
Breakdown according to Age Group
AGE GROU P |
NUMBER |
PERCENTAGE |
0-8 years |
64 |
- |
9-12 years |
136 |
- |
13-15 years |
233 |
- |
16-17 years |
246 |
- |
TOTAL |
679 |
- |
Breakdown of Injury by Means
CAUSE OF INJURY |
NUMBER |
PERCENTAGE |
Live bullets |
178 |
- |
Steel bullets |
97 |
- |
Gas |
21 |
- |
Shrapnel* |
174 |
- |
UXO |
3 |
- |
Beating |
96 |
- |
Trauma |
9 |
- |
Machine Gun |
1 |
- |
Fall |
62 |
- |
House Demolition |
12 |
- |
More than one |
17 |
- |
Other |
4 |
- |
Energia |
2 |
- |
Vehicular Manslaughter |
3 |
- |
TOTAL |
679 |
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 |
122 |
- |
Head |
106 |
- |
Chest |
27 |
- |
Back |
20 |
- |
Eyes |
15 |
- |
Neck |
10 |
- |
Abdomen |
15 |
- |
Limbs |
294 |
- |
Pelvis |
8 |
- |
Asphyxiation |
21 |
- |
Bruises |
31 |
- |
Panic attack |
10 |
- |
TOTAL |
679 |
100% |
Breakdown by Month
MONTH |
NUMBER |
PERCENTAGE |
January |
180 |
- |
February |
156 |
- |
March |
183 |
- |
April |
160 |
- |
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