350 Palestinian minors held in Israeli prisons: NGOs

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine

A total of 350 Palestinian minors are currently languishing in Israeli jails, according to two Palestinian NGOs.

Eight girls were among those held in Israeli prisons, the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners Society said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement, six children were being held at Israeli juvenile centers.

The statement was issued on the occasion of the Palestinian Children’s Day, which is marked on April 5 each year.

Israeli forces detained 353 minors since the start of this year, some of whom were later released, the two NGOs said.

In January and February, Israeli authorities issued house arrest orders for 102 minors, most of whom were from the occupied East Jerusalem, the statement said.

The two NGOs appealed to international rights organizations to intervene to provide protection to Palestinian minors against Israeli practices.

According to Palestinian figures, roughly 6,400 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons.