UNICEF: 70 Children Killed in West Bank and East Jerusalem Since January 2025 — One Per Week, 93% by Israeli Forces

UNICEF published a landmark report on May 12, 2026 documenting that 70 Palestinian children have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since January 2025 — approximately one per week — with over 800 children injured in the same period. According to UNICEF's data, 93% of child deaths were caused by Israeli forces; the remainder were killed by Israeli settlers, unexploded ordnance, or accidental Palestinian fire. The UN News Centre published the story under the headline 'Children shot, stabbed and pepper-sprayed in occupied West Bank,' detailing documented violations including live fire, rubber bullets, unlawful beatings, and settler attacks. UNICEF spokesperson James Elder stated: 'These are not isolated incidents. They point to a sustained pattern of the worst kind of violation.' The figure of 70 killed does not include Gaza, where tens of thousands of children have died; it covers exclusively the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. The rate of child killings has escalated significantly since October 7, 2023 — surpassing annual totals recorded in previous years. The report intensified international pressure on Israel as the EU simultaneously formalized the settler sanctions package approved unanimously on May 11.