JERUSALEM, Friday, March 12, 2021 (WAFA) – Armed Israeli occupation soldiers have been filmed arresting Palestinian children and forcefully dragging them away for picking vegetables near the illegal Israeli settlement outpost of Havat Maon, south of Hebron in the occupied West Bank.

A video, captured by Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, shows a number of young boys being led away by soldiers and bundled into a white van.

At one point, a boy is seen trying to intervene and rescue one of the children but is quickly dragged away by other soldiers.

“This is another example of the absolute disregard on the part of Israeli authorities and forces on the ground to the well-being and rights of Palestinians, no matter how young or vulnerable,” B’Tselem spokesman Amit Gilutz said.

“The youngest boy from yesterday's incident is eight years old,” he added.

The children, whose ages range from eight to 13, were held for around five hours, according to Gaby Lasky, a human rights lawyer who is representing them. The two oldest, who are 12 and 13, and therefore old enough to face charges, were ordered to return next week for more questioning.

Earlier yesterday, a group of Israeli settlers opened gunfire towards two Palestinian children in nearby Masafer Yatta area. The two children, 12 and 13 years old, were not wounded in the attack.

All Israeli settlements as illegal and a major obstacle to bringing about an independent Palestinian state including the West Bank, which Israel captured in the 1967 war. The international community also views the settlements as illegal and an impediment to peace.

M.N