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Ivan Zhakata Herald Correspondent
THE State of Palestine has called on the United Nations to censure Israel following the killing of a 15-year-old girl in Jenin by Israeli forces on Monday evening.
Jana Majdi Assaf was shot in the head and chest, allegedly by an Israeli sniper, while she was on the roof of her house, killing her instantly.
Ambassador of Palestine to Zimbabwe Tamer Almassri condemned the killing saying Jana was the 53rd Palestinian citizen to be shot this year.
He has called on the UN Secretary-General António Guterres to put Israeli soldiers and their militias on the list of shame and hold Israel accountable for crimes against Palestinian children.
“The State of Palestine condemns in the strongest terms Israel’s ongoing crimes and deliberate killings of Palestinian children, including the latest killing of 15-year-old Jana Majdi Assaf by a sniper last night in Jenin while she was on the roof of her house,” ambassador Almassri said.
“Israeli occupation forces shot Jana in the head and the chest, killing her immediately. Jana is the 53rd Palestinian child to be killed by Israel this year alone, marking it the deadliest year for the Palestinian people.
“Jana is another victim of the failure of the international community to hold Israel accountable for its ongoing and escalating crimes. Israel’s targeting of Palestinian children in their homes, schools, and streets is systematic and widespread aimed at intimidating children and their families and causing trauma and insecurity to the entire Palestinian society.”
Ambassador Almassri said the list of shame remained the most powerful tool of accountability and an effective deterrent and guarantee of child protection.
“Therefore, we call on the United Nations Secretary-General to immediately list Israeli occupation forces and its settler militias on the list of shame and hold Israel fully accountable for its crimes against Palestinian children. Exempting Israel from facing consequences for its crimes undermines the protection of children worldwide.
“We also call on the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to investigate urgently and effectively, Israel’s killing of Jana and many other Palestinian children who continue to be targeted by Israel’s illegal occupation.
”We also call on all relevant mandate holders, international officials and governments to openly reject and confront such crimes,” he said.
Ambassador Almassri said Palestinian children were entitled to their human rights, protection, health, dignity and peace, and were not an exception to global rules.
In May this year, Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli soldiers on her way to cover an Israeli attack on a civilian refugee camp in Jenin.
She was the Palestinian correspondent for
Al Jazeera News and a prominent female journalist, not only in Palestine, but in the Middle East with over 26 years of reporting experience.
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