Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem has reported that 54 Palestinian children and teenagers were killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank during 2025, raising serious concerns over the use of lethal force, access to medical care, and the treatment of victims’ bodies.

In a report published on Monday, the organization stated that the majority of the minors were killed in circumstances in which they did not pose an immediate threat to Israeli forces. It also noted that Israeli authorities are still withholding the bodies of several of the deceased.

According to B’Tselem, 21 of the 54 children were killed without participating in any form of confrontation. A further 13 were killed in incidents involving alleged stone-throwing at Israeli forces or roads, although the report noted that no Israeli soldiers were reported injured in those cases.

The organization said 47 of the children were killed by live ammunition, while seven were killed in airstrikes carried out in the West Bank.

B’Tselem further reported that 11 minors were shot from ambush positions, while nine others, including two girls, were killed during Israeli military raids on Palestinian towns where no arrests or active clashes were taking place.

It added that some of the children were killed inside or near their homes, while others were shot while walking in public areas or at their workplaces.

The report also highlighted what it described as serious obstruction of medical assistance. In 13 cases, Israeli forces allegedly prevented medical teams and civilians from reaching wounded children, representing roughly one-quarter of all documented incidents.

In at least nine of these cases, soldiers reportedly fired into the air or toward paramedics and family members attempting to reach the injured. The report added that in some instances, wounded children were prevented from being transported to hospitals, leaving it unclear whether they received medical treatment before dying.

B’Tselem also stated that, as of June 29, 2026, Israeli authorities were still withholding the bodies of 18 of the 54 children killed during 2025.

The organization described this practice as a violation of international law, arguing that it denies families the right to bury their children and carry out mourning rituals, thereby deepening their suffering.

The findings add to ongoing concerns raised by human rights groups regarding the use of lethal force in the occupied West Bank and the impact of military operations on Palestinian civilians, particularly minors.

Israeli authorities have not yet issued a detailed response to the specific findings of the report. The Israeli government has previously stated that its forces operate in accordance with international law and respond to security threats posed in the occupied territories.

The report comes amid continued tensions in the West Bank, where military raids, confrontations, and settler-related violence have intensified over the past year. (ILKHA)