This report addresses the zionist terror gangs' violation of child rights in the Gaza Strip in the context of closure and blockade and the Great March of Return.

The demonstrations started on 30 March 2018 and stress the right of return of Palestinian refugees, as enshrined in international law, and call for an end to occupying zionist's 12-year closure and blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.

Between 30 March and 31 October 2018, the period covered by this report, zionist gangs attacks martyred 33 children, wounded 1,213 children with live fire, permanently disabled at least 12 children, and caused hundreds of children to be hospitalized for injuries from tear gas and rubber-coated bullets.

Taking place in the context of closure and blockade, movement restrictions also led to the denial of access to urgent medical care for children participating in the protests—a stark example of the impact that the closure and blockade policy has on all aspects of children’s lives in Gaza, Al-Mezan said.

The collapse of Gaza’s economy adds to the challenges that Gaza’s children face. The rates of poverty, unemployment, and food-insecurity remain high and Palestinian children struggle to access their rights to health, food, housing and an adequate standard of living because the local economy is unable to support the lives of two million residents in the Gaza Strip.

The occupation forces had detained 2,600 Palestinians in the first half of 2019, the Palestinian Prisoners Centre said in a report.

The report said the occupation forces detained 410 Palestinian children under the age of 18 in the first six months of the year.

At least 70 Palestinian women were detained, including young and children girls under 18, the report said. (ILKHA)