An increasing number of arrested Palestinian children are being placed in solitary confinement by Israel, an international children's rights group said in a report issued Monday.
The report came just months after Israel's army, under international pressure to introduce reforms, agreed to test alternative treatment for children it detains in the West Bank, Agence France-Presse reported.
Children detained for questioning by the army reported "undergoing solitary confinement" in more than one in five cases recorded by Defense for Children International in 2013, DCI said in a statement.
Compared to 2012 figures, this showed a two percent rise, it said.
"Use of isolation against Palestinian children as an interrogation tool is a growing trend," said Ayed Abu Eqtaish of DCI in the Palestinian territories.
"This is a violation of children's rights and the international community must demand justice and accountability," he said.
"Globally, children and juvenile offenders are often held in isolation either as a disciplinary measure or to separate them from adult populations," DCI said.
"The use of solitary confinement by Israeli authorities does not appear to be related to any disciplinary, protective, or medical rationale."
According to AFP, Palestinian children, aged 12 to 17, were included in the 98 sworn affidavits, DCI's research confirmed.
Alternative treatment for Palestinian children arrested in the West Bank was agreed to be tested by Israel in October, UN children's fund (UNICEF) said.
"These included issuing summons instead of arresting children at their homes at night," AFP reported. "But UNICEF said that 'ongoing' violations by the army were rife and included physical violence and verbal abuse."
Around 7,000 children between 12 and 17, mostly boys, have been arrested, interrogated, and prosecuted by Israeli forces over the past decade.
Calculating the rate would be equivalent to "an average of two children each day," UNICEF said.
