Unicef UK's chief executive, Dr Philip Goodwin, has called for immediate international action to protect Palestinian children in the West Bank, following a surge in violence that has killed at least one child per week since January 2025. In a letter published in The Guardian, Dr Goodwin detailed his firsthand observations from a recent visit to the region, describing a climate of fear and routine humiliation.
Witnessing Daily Trauma in Hebron
During his visit, Dr Goodwin met families in Hebron's militarized H2 area, where movement is heavily restricted and children must navigate checkpoints to reach school. He reported that a group of mothers described routine humiliation and intimidation, with streets largely empty as residents feared being outside. Just days before his visit, a seven-month-old infant died after being shot by Israeli forces while sitting on his mother's lap in a car. Dr Goodwin emphasized that such incidents are not isolated, noting that since January 2025, at least one Palestinian child has been killed on average every week in the West Bank.
Call for Global Outrage and Accountability
Dr Goodwin stated that the world must show outrage and condemnation for the escalating violence, particularly against children like nine-year-old Mohammad al-Halaq, who was featured in a recent Guardian report. He urged that such violence must not become normalized. Unicef is calling on Israeli authorities to take immediate and decisive action to protect Palestinian children in accordance with international law. Additionally, Unicef appeals to UN member states with influence to use their leverage to ensure child protection and respect for international law.
Broader Context of Violence
The letter references a Guardian report on 29 June that highlighted how children in the West Bank are being killed by Israel without accountability. Dr Goodwin, who has over two decades of experience in humanitarian development, said nothing prepared him for what he witnessed. He stressed that for children like Mohammad and many others who have lost their lives and rights, global outrage is essential to prevent further escalation.
