The erasure of childhood in a century of conflict
In short: In the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the concept of childhood has been systematically dismantled by violence. From 15-year-old fighters in 1948 to teenagers used as suicide bombers, children have been both targets and participants in a cycle of trauma that leaves deep psychological scars and lasting human rights concerns.
The involvement of children in the conflict dates back to the 1929 Hebron massacre, which killed 24 school-aged students and children under five. By 1948, adolescent militants from the Irgun and Lehi groups participated in the Deir Yassin massacre, killing at least 107 residents, including women and children. Youngsters acted as messengers and scouts throughout the Old City's Jewish Quarter combat, with some individuals helping build homemade bombs. This historical context highlights a long-standing pattern where youth are integrated into military roles.
The nature of 'childhood' has shifted under military rule. Following the 1967 Six-Day War, some observers noted that the idea of childhood was effectively abolished from Israeli military declarations; a 10-year-old shot in combat might be referred to as a 'young man of ten' rather than a child. During the First Intifada (1987–1993), stone-throwing became a felony, leading to the arrest of children with bail set at US$400. Though frequently termed the 'children's revolt,' the uprising involved 80 percent of adolescent girls and 90 percent of adolescent boys participating in various activities, from riots to peaceful demonstrations.
The human cost is staggering and often disputed. B'tselem calculated that between 2001 and 2021, 2,171 Palestinian children were killed by Israeli forces, while 139 Israeli children were killed by Palestinian forces. During the 2008–2009 Gaza War, estimates of child fatalities varied wildly, from the Israeli military's figure of 89 children under 16 to various human rights groups reporting between 318 and 355 deaths. These figures underscore a complex reality where children suffer from PTSD and physical injury, while also being recruited into the machinery of war.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Children in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
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