Israeli Soldiers Abduct Child Near Ramallah – – IMEMC News

Report on Military Operations in the Occupied West Bank and Their Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Incident Summary

On Saturday evening, a series of military operations were conducted by Israeli forces in the central occupied West Bank. These actions have significant implications for the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

1. Kafr ‘Ein, northwest of Ramallah: Military forces entered the town, conducted searches of homes, and detained a 15-year-old Palestinian child, identified as Abdullah Malek Al-Issa.
2. Silwad, northeast of Ramallah: Armored vehicles conducted an incursion into multiple neighborhoods before withdrawing.
3. Eastern Nablus: Troops entered the area surrounding the Askar Al-Qadim refugee camp, deploying smoke bombs and concussion grenades.

2.0 Analysis of SDG Violations

The reported events directly undermine progress on several key Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to peace, justice, health, and sustainable communities.

2.1 SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The operations represent a significant setback for SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions.

• Access to Justice: The abduction of a minor by military forces raises critical questions regarding due process and the protection of children’s rights under international law, directly contravening Target 16.3 (promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice).
• Violence Against Children: The detention of a 15-year-old is an act of violence against children, in opposition to Target 16.2 (end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children).
• Peace and Security: The military invasions and use of force disrupt community safety and undermine efforts to build peaceful and inclusive societies.

2.2 SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being & SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The incursions compromise the fundamental right to a safe and healthy living environment as outlined in SDG 3 and SDG 11.

• Community Safety (SDG 11): The presence of armored vehicles, home searches, and the use of crowd-control weapons in residential areas, including a refugee camp, render these communities unsafe and unsustainable, contrary to Target 11.1 (ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services).
• Mental and Physical Health (SDG 3): The deployment of smoke bombs and concussion grenades poses direct physical health risks. Furthermore, the climate of fear and instability created by such military actions has severe, long-term negative impacts on the mental well-being of residents, especially children.

3.0 Conclusion

The military activities in Ramallah and Nablus, particularly the detention of a child, are in direct conflict with the global agenda for sustainable development. These actions erode the foundations required for achieving peace, justice, good health, and safe communities, thereby impeding progress on SDGs 16, 3, and 11 in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article’s core theme revolves around the absence of peace and justice. The military invasions of towns, home searches, and the abduction of a child by occupation forces are direct affronts to peaceful and inclusive societies. These actions undermine the rule of law and personal security, which are central tenets of SDG 16.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article describes military forces with “armored vehicles” storming towns like Kafr ‘Ein and Silwad, as well as the area around a refugee camp. These actions make human settlements unsafe, insecure, and unsustainable for the residents, directly contradicting the goal of creating safe and resilient communities.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • While not detailing health outcomes, the events described—such as the abduction of a 15-year-old and the firing of “smoke and bombs” and “concussion grenades”—create an environment of intense fear, stress, and trauma. This directly impacts the mental and physical well-being of the affected population, particularly children.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • The article explicitly states that “Israeli occupation forces abducted a 15-year-old Palestinian child.” This act is a direct form of violence against a child, making this target highly relevant.
2. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • The “military invasion,” the storming of towns by “armored vehicles,” and the firing of “smoke and bombs” are all described forms of organized violence affecting civilian populations in Kafr ‘Ein, Silwad, and Nablus.
3. Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…
   • The military invasions of towns and residential neighborhoods, as described in the article, render these spaces unsafe and inaccessible for the civilian population, preventing normal community life and movement.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Implied Indicator for Target 16.2: Number of children subjected to violence, including abduction.
   • The article provides a specific, qualitative data point for this indicator by reporting the case of “Abdullah Malek Al-Issa,” a 15-year-old child who was abducted. Tracking the frequency of such events would measure progress (or lack thereof) towards this target.
2. Implied Indicator for Target 16.1: Number of conflict-related security incidents in civilian areas.
   • The article documents multiple distinct incidents: the invasion of Kafr ‘Ein, the invasion of Silwad, and the military operation in eastern Nablus. Each of these events can be counted as a security incident that constitutes a form of violence against a community.
3. Implied Indicator for Target 11.7: Incidents that render public and residential spaces unsafe.
   • The actions described, such as military forces driving “through multiple neighborhoods,” searching homes, and firing smoke bombs, are concrete examples of incidents that make community spaces unsafe. The article’s reporting on these events serves as an implicit measure of the lack of safety in these areas.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: imemc.org