Hamas calls for protection of Palestinian children against Israeli ‘crimes’

Resistance group Hamas has called for providing international protection to Palestinian children against Israeli "crimes".

"Israel is practicing all types of crimes against Palestinian children, including killing, abduction, assassination, siege and house arrest," Hamas said in a statement marking the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.

The day is celebrated to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse.

"This day is a reminder of the plight and suffering of Palestinian children at home, in refugee camps and in diaspora," Hamas said.

It cited that 88 Palestinian children were killed by Israeli forces since last year.

"Children held in Israeli prisons are subjected to psychological and physical abuse," Hamas said, going on to call on the international community to intervene to release children from Israeli jails.

According to Palestinian estimates, there are 4,700 Palestinians in Israeli prisons, including 160 minors.