The Palestinian Authority on Wednesday accused Israel of fabricating stories about Palestinian boys carrying explosive belts on their way to carry out attacks against Israeli targets.
The Israeli army on Tuesday stated a Palestinian boy carrying an explosive belt was captured at a roadblock outside the northern West Bank town of Nablus.
"I am 100% sure that these incidents are fabricated from A to Z by the Shin Bet," said Ahmed Subh, Director-General of the Palestinian Ministry of Information. Speaking to PIC Wednesday, Subh accused the Israeli authorities of seeking to influence President Abbas' talks in Washington by showing that the PA is not doing enough to control armed groups.
Subh pointed out that the Palestinian security apparatus has conducted a "thorough and comprehensive investigation" into Israeli allegations and found out that the whole thing was a sheer fabrication. "Their families told us that anonymous persons gave them money and explosive belts and promised them that they wouldn't be imprisoned. "It is crystal clear that these anonymous persons are Shin Bet agents, Palestinian organizations are smarter than sending boys with explosives to pass through Israeli checkpoints and roadblocks."
On its part, Amnesty International has reiterated its calls to armed Palestinian groups to put an immediate end to the use of children in armed activities. “Palestinian armed groups must not use children under any circumstances to carry out armed attacks or to transport weapons or other material”, Amnesty International said.
