UNICEF calls for immediate end to violence in Jenin that killed 3 children

By Betul Yuruk

NEW YORK (AA) - The UN children's agency, UNICEF, has called for an immediate end to armed violence in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin that killed at least three children on Monday.

"UNICEF deplores all acts of violence against children and calls for the immediate cessation of armed violence," the agency said in a statement.

According to the latest reports, at least three children were killed, and many others were injured, while hundreds of families have been displaced by the ongoing fighting, said the agency.

Tensions have been running high across the occupied West Bank in recent months amid repeated Israeli raids into Palestinian towns.

The Israeli forces on Monday launched its largest military operation in Jenin in more than 20 years, killing at least 10 Palestinians and injuring more than 100 others, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

"In the last two years, children have witnessed recurrent cycles of violence with three escalations in and around the Gaza Strip and numerous conflict-related incidents in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem," it said.

As many as 33 children – 27 Palestinians and 6 Israelis – were killed, since the beginning of this year, according to UNICEF.

"Grave violations against children, including killing and maiming, are unacceptable," it said.

The agency urged all parties protect children and refrain from using violence, especially against children.