36% jump in child mortality from accidents: 64 killed in half a year

A series of drowning cases, traffic accidents, and disasters in which children have been killed in recent months is also reflected in the data. The first-half report of the Beterem organization for child safety, published today, points to a worrying deterioration: in the first half of 2026, 64 children and teenagers were killed as a result of accidents and unintentional incidents — an increase of 36% compared to the same period last year.

During the first six months of the year, 1,170 cases were documented in which children and teenagers were injured. In the second quarter alone, 679 cases were recorded — a significant increase compared to the first quarter, a figure indicating an exacerbation in the trend of accidents and unintentional incidents.

Traffic accidents continue to take the heaviest toll

Traffic accidents continue to be the leading cause of death among children: 38 of the 64 children who were killed met their deaths on the roads — about 60% of all mortality cases. Of these, 22 were pedestrians — more than double the average in recent years. The data aligns with the worrying situation on Israel's roads. According to data from the National Road Safety Authority, by the end of the first half of 2026, 200 people had been killed in traffic accidents, and 821 others were seriously injured. The authority notes that it is too early to conclude that this is a change in trend, partly due to the impact of the temporary decrease in traffic volume during the war.

Sharp jump in drowning cases as well

There was also a sharp increase in drowning cases: in the first half of the year, 11 children drowned to death, compared to only two cases in the same period last year. The report also shows that the age group in which the most children were killed is from birth to age 4. However, the sharpest increase in the number of deaths was recorded precisely among those aged 10 to 17. The main scene of the incidents was the roads, where about half of the mortality cases occurred, followed by the home and the home yard.

"It didn't occur to me that it was related to me"

Behind each of the figures hides a personal story and a family whose life changed in one moment. One of them is Liad Rosenwasser, who lost her toddler daughter, Otzar (of blessed memory), after she was forgotten in the car. According to her, that morning started like any other morning. She got ready with her two daughters, dropped her older daughter off at kindergarten, and continued to her work, after stopping at a bakery on the way. During all that time, she was convinced that Otzar was already at the daycare. Only later did she realize that she had left her in the car.

"My manager said: 'What is happening downstairs is not a terrorist and not a brawl. A toddler was forgotten in a car,'" she recalls. "It didn't occur to me that it was related to me." When she was told that the vehicle in question was hers, she understood the magnitude of the disaster. "I collapsed on the floor. God said to me: 'Wake up princess, this is your daughter.'" When she reached the vehicle, she already saw the rescue teams fighting for Otzar's life. "I saw them trying to perform resuscitation efforts and save her, but it was already too late."

"Behind every number is a family"

Orly Silvinger, CEO of the Beterem organization for child safety, said:

"64 children paid with their lives in just half a year. This is an exceptional and painful increase that requires all of us to stop and act. Behind every number is a family whose life has changed forever. Most injury cases are not a decree of fate; they can be prevented through a combination of personal responsibility, safe infrastructure, enforcement, and a national policy that puts child safety at the top of the priority list."

Silvinger further added: "The sharp increase in child mortality reflects, among other things, the effects of the prolonged period of security emergency, which creates burnout, continuous pressure, and a decrease in the attention of parents and adults responsible for children, alongside the need to strengthen national investment in child safety." According to her, "Behind every number stands a family that has lost what is most precious to it, and my heart is with the families. Most of the cases could have been prevented."

The data is published in the midst of the summer vacation, a period when children spend many hours outside of educational frameworks, and the risk of injury increases. For health system personnel, emergency teams, and safety organizations, the data is not just statistics, but a reminder of the heavy price of accidents, many of which can be prevented. Now it remains to be seen whether the worrying increase in child mortality will lead to significant steps that will strengthen prevention, advocacy, and enforcement, with the goal of reducing the number of children who are injured every year.