So far this year, Israel has murdered 17 under age Palestinians,the Defense for Children International NGO criticized in a report.

Added to this, are, the damage caused to other youths which is manifested in their behavior, thoughts and academic performance, the report stressed.

The actions of the occupation troops violate their rights, guaranteed by international law, and threatens their psychological and physical security, it said.

The NGO focused its investigation on children living in the West Bank governorate of Jenin, the hardest hit by Israeli military operations. It also questioned the Israeli use of children as human shields whenever they enter Palestinian areas.

The impunity enjoyed by Israel Armed Forces allowed an increase in their crimes, which, in turn, increased the damage to kids in Palestine.

Late last year, the Commission for Prisoners and Former Prisoners Affairs revealed that since the occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank in 1967, Israel has arrested more than 50,000 young Palestinians.

A recent report by the Society of Palestinian Prisoners warned that many of them are captured at night in their homes, beaten in front of their relatives, handcuffed, kept without food or water for long hours and subjected to interrogations without the presence of their parents.

Referring to the same issue, the Save the Children organization denounced the existence of physical and verbal violence, threats and isolation within the prisons.

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