'Militants wanted to blow up 10-year-old boy'

March 16 2004 at 01:40AM
Cape Times

Nablus, West Bank - A 10-year-old Palestinian boy who was arrested on Monday in the West Bank carrying explosives, was being used by Palestinian militants as a suicide bomber, Israeli security sources said.

Witnesses at the Huwara checkpoint near here said the child, who worked as a porter, was taken into Israeli custody after he was found in possession of up to 10kg of explosives.

"Two Tanzim operatives from Nablus attempted to use his (the boy's) position at the checkpoint, and the fact that the soldiers know him and don't suspect him, to carry out a suicide bombing," the source said.

He was referring to militants from the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades.

"They had planned to remotely operate the explosive in his bag by means of a mobile phone as he was crossing the checkpoint," the source said.

But he stressed the boy had no part in the plan and did not know he was to be used as a suicide bomber.

"He had no idea of what he was doing. He had no idea those people were taking advantage of him," the source said. "He was not part of this."

The checkpoint was closed while a controlled explosion was carried out. - Sapa-AP

* This article was originally published on page 2 of The Cape Times on March 16, 2004