Participation of Children and Teenagers in Terrorist Activity during the "Al-Aqsa" Intifada
(Communicated the Israeli security sources)
January
2003
During the Al-Aqsa intifada we have witnessed an evolving
phenomenon of the exploitation of teenagers and children by various
terrorist organizations in order to perpetrate terrorist attacks,
among them suicide attacks against Israeli civilian and military
targets. Children and teenagers between the ages of 11 and 18 have
over the past few months carried out suicide and other terrorist
attacks in which innocent Israeli civilians have been killed and
injured. In addition, Israeli security forces apprehended a
considerable number of these teenagers and children prior to the
perpetration of the terrorist attacks. Terrorist organizations
exploit the innocent look of children and teenagers, which does not
arouse suspicion and enables them to blend into populated areas. In
addition, these children and teenagers, who have not yet reached
adulthood, are more susceptible to the terrorist organizations'
influence and the recruitment of suicide bombers.
Children and teenagers who are supposed to dream of a better
future and enjoy innocence and happiness are thus sucked into the
reality of killing and hate. The terrorist organizations which
convince the children and teenagers that they will enjoy a life of
happiness after death, are actually uprooting these children from
their homes and families, and by religious or nationalist incitment
are encouraging them to perpetrate terrorist attacks.
Salah
Shehade, one of the heads of the Hamas in the Gaza Strip,
recently deceased, discussed the use of children in terrorist
attacks in an interview on the Islam On Line internet site (May 26,
2002). He said that the children must be trained well prior to
perpetrating terrorist attacks and be recruited into a special
branch within the organization's military apparatus in order to
instill the Jihad culture and teach them right from wrong.
Expressions such as these represent one of the primary elements in
convincing parents to send their children to perpetrate terrorist
attacks.
Ala Saftawi, the chief editor of the Islamic Jihad's
"Alastaklal", said on Tehran radio that Gaza Strip residents,
especially children, have a high level of willingness to die a
martyr's death, because they have nothing to lose.
On June 27, 2002 Palestinian television screened a movie entitled
"Children who love the homeland and the martyr's death," in which
Dr. Fadel Abu Hin, a psychologist, speaks of the evolving phenomenon
of children's involvement in the intifada. Abu Hin mentioned that
the word "shouhada" - martyrdom - has a multitude of meanings for
Palestinian children in particular and for the entire Islamic
community, and it is not simply a matter of putting an end to one's
life. Through this action, the children are able to take an active
part in the intifada.
Abu Hin produced a poll carried out in the Islamic University in
April 2001, on 1,000 teenagers between the ages of 9-16 in the Gaza
Strip: 49% claimed to have taken an active part in the intifada and
73% expressed the desire to be a "shahid" (martyr). These statistics
clearly show the growing radicalism among children and teenagers in
the territories, who are easily recruited by the terrorist
organizations to perpetrate terrorist attacks. During the interview
the anchorwoman stated, "The hearts of the Palestinian children are
filled not only with anxiety and fear, but also with a strong will
to achieve 'Shouhad'a (martyrdom)... Shouhada has become the
greatest aspiration for many children who believe that this is the
way to win prestige, and to be immortalized among their people."
Not only does the Palestinian media incite and influence the
children and teenagers, but the education system and summer camps
"brainwash" the adolescents. The adolescents are inculcated with
Islamic precepts that call for and encourage Jihad against Israel.
At the beginning of July the Islamic Foundation in Gaza organized
summer camps called the "Al-Aqsa Martyrs summer camp". These camps
continued until the end of July. On July 2, the "Al-Quds" newspaper
quoted Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Baher, the chairman of the Islamic
Foundation, as saying that the foundation attempted to keep the
summer camps going despite the ongoing conflict, because they deeply
believe in the values the summer camps are instilling in the
children.
In addition, Dr. Baher stated that there is a constant stream of
children who want to participate in the Hamas summer camps, where
the children receive uniforms, shoes, exercise books and attention
from the camp organizers. According to him, non-religious children
join the summer camps due to the vast number of attractions that the
organization offers. In addition, they teach the children the
history of Islam, with pictures of the "martyrs" displayed
everywhere, and in this way "instill the seeds of hate against
Israel."
Similar summer camps are being conducted by the Palestinian
Authority Ministry for Youth and Sport, designed to incite the
children, recruit them against Israel and train them in the use of
weapons for future terrorist attacks against Israel.
An additional phenomenon worth mentioning is the fact that
parents are allowing their children to dress up as "martyrs". More
and more, we are witnessing the phenomenon of children participating
in marches and parades while dressed as "martyrs" and wearing props
similar to explosive charges and slogans proclaiming their "martyr"
status. A picture was recently found of a baby wearing an explosive charge and a headband
with a slogan dedicating his life to Allah. There is no doubt that
this phenomenon has a destructive effect on the education of these
children, who imbibe the Jihad culture, making them easy targets for
recruitment by terrorist organizations for perpetrating attacks.
The Involvement of Children and Teenagers Between the ages of
11-18 in Terror
On July 6, 2002 two minors, both 11 years old and carrying
knives, were apprehended by Israeli security forces near the Dugit
outpost. During their questioning by the IDF, they stated that had
planned to plant a bomb in the area. One of the youths stated that
he wished to commit suicide and had hoped to be killed by IDF fire.
On the night of April 23, 2002 three Palestinian children,
students at a Gaza school, attempted to infiltrate the community of
Netzarim in order to perpetrate a suicide attack in the town. The
three were Ismail Soubh Ibrahim Abu Nada, age 12, Wael Ghazi
Moustafa Hamarna, age 13, and Yousef Bassam Yousef Zakout, age 14.
IDF forces killed the three adolescents as they attempted to
infiltrate the town. The following day, the Hamas Internet site
announced that the three, who were sent by the Hamas, belonged to a
mosque in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza. As part of their
special activities, they set up their own terrorist group and
decided to wage a Jihad against the Jews. The youths each left
behind a last will and testament stressing their desire to die a
martyr's death. An ax and a hedge cutter were found on one of the
bodies, presumably used to cut the fence that surrounds the town.
A 13 year old youth, a resident of Tulkarem, is suspected of
having been recruited during March 2002 by PIJ operatives from the
Tulkarem area in order to perpetrate a suicide attack within Israel.
The attack was thwarted by Israeli security forces.
Aytham Asad Abu Shoka, 14 years old, a resident of Sheikh
Radwan/Gaza, was killed by IDF forces near the Dugit outpost, after
being spotted with another individual near the town's fence. Two
pipe bombs, a knife and a map of the Gaza Strip, on which Israeli
towns were marked, were found on his body.
Fahed Taisir Ali Azazi, 16 years old, a resident of Rafah, was
killed at the beginning of February 2002 by IDF fire after he threw
a grenade at the Tarmit outpost.
A 15 year old girl, a resident of Bethlehem, was questioned at
the beginning of April 2002 following information that indicated she
was preparing to perpetrate a suicide attack. She confessed that she
planned to carry out a suicide attack with the help of her uncle, a
senior Tanzim operative in Bethlehem. She asked her uncle to recruit
her to the Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades, and her uncle agreed. Her uncle
asked her to recruit additional girls from her school into the
organization.
Jamil Khalaf Moustafa Hamid, 16 years old, a resident of
Bethlehem, was recruited by the Tanzim. On March 31, 2002 he
perpetrated the suicide attack at the Magen David Adom station in
Efrat. Six Israeli civilians were injured in the attack.
Noura Jamal Mouhamad Ghanem, 16 years old, a resident of
Tulkarem, attempted to stab an IDF soldier at the Taibe check-point
near Tulkarem on February 24, 2002. Noura approached the checkpoint
during the late evening hours, while her family was asleep in their
home. The IDF forces opened fire during an "arrest of a suspect"
procedure, which ended in the subject's death. The adolescent's last
will and testament was found in her home, in which she had written
that she dedicated her terrorist action to her Palestinian brethren
who had been killed during the intifada. The Fatah claimed
responsibility for the attempted attack.
A 16 year old youth, a resident of the Askar refugee camp, was
arrested in May 2002 while traveling in a taxi and carrying an
explosive charge. During questioning by the ISA, he confessed that
when he was 14 he was recruited into a small Hamas terrorist group,
of which two members were 16 years old. The youth stated the two had
proposed that he carry out a suicide attack, and he agreed. They
introduced him to a Tanzim operative, also a resident of the Askar
refugee camp, who manufactured an explosive charge and videotaped
him while he read his last will and testament. On the day of his
arrest he had a haircut, put on the explosive charge, and met two
individuals who transported him to Jenin in a taxi, where he and his
escorts were arrested by the IDF.
A 16.5 year old youth was caught while attempting to carry out a
suicide attack in the Beit Shean area on August 2, 2001. He
confessed during questioning by the ISA that he had been a member of
an Islamic Jihad terrorist group, all of whose members were prepared
to commit suicide attacks. He mentioned that another youth, also
16.5 years of age, had recruited him to carry out a suicide attack.
The latter, who turned himself in to the Israeli security forces in
January 2002, confessed that he had recruited a number of additional
suicide bombers to perpetrate suicide attacks. In addition he was
involved in planning terrorist attacks.
Anwar Ahmed Abd El
Khalek Hamed, currently 18 years old, an illiterate resident of
Rafah, was previously involved in drug trafficking and use. He is
affiliated with the Abu Rish faction of the Fatah and was
apprehended on his way to perpetrate a suicide attack when he was
16.5 years old. He confessed during questioning that he was on his
way to carry out a suicide attack against a convoy of IDF soldiers
along the Gaza coastal road. The attack was planned and directed by
Mohammed Sinwar, a senior military operative in the Hamas terror
organization in the Gaza Strip. In addition, Anwar confessed that
PFLP activists had proposed that he perpetrate a terrorist attack in
the community of Morag during the month of Ramadan.
Ahmed Salmi: A 16.5 year
old teenager, resident of the Shati refugee camp in the Gaza Strip,
was killed on April 16, 2002 by IDF forces near the town of Dugit.
Two pipe bombs and a bottle of gunpowder were found in his
possession. The Hamas claimed responsibility for the attempted
attack.
A 16.5 year old high school student, resident of Tulkarem, was
arrested on his way to carry out a suicide attack. During
questioning by the ISA, he confessed that a Hamas operative from
Tulkarem had recruited him, and proposed that he perpetrate a
suicide attack on behalf of the Hamas and Fatah. In addition, he
mentioned that he had spoken before his entire school class, and
announced that he was planning to carry out a terrorist attack and
that he might not return. He requested that his classmates leave his
seat empty and place flowers on his chair every day. Subsequently,
the youth met with Mohammed Shreim, a Tanzim activist from Tulkarem,
who told him he had obtained an explosive charge for him to carry
out a suicide attack within Israel. The youth agreed. Mohammed
supplied him with the explosive charge and directed him to carru pit
the attack at a bus stop within Israel, between two buses, or to
board a crowded bus and blow himself up. Mohammed videotaped the
youth holding the Koran and taking responsibility for the attack on
behalf of the Hamas' "Iz-A-Din Al-Qassam Brigades" and the Fatah's
"Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigades". Mohammed had written a last will and
testament for the youth. Israeli security forces near Tira arrested
the youth in February 2002, while he was on his way to perpetrate
the terrorist attack. During the course of the arrest the youth
attempted unsuccessfully to detonate the explosive charge.
Issa Abd Raba Ibrahim Badir, 17 years old, a resident of
Doha/Bethlehem, perpetrated the suicide attack in Rishon Lezion on
May 22, 2002, in which two Israelis were killed and over 30 injured.
Issa was directed by the Fatah military infrastructure in Bethlehem,
headed by Ahmed Moughrabi, who was arrested by Israeli security
forces on May 27. Ahmed's 16-year-old brother was with him at the
time of the arrest, and was arrested along with his brother. Ahmed
confessed during questioning that he had directed his brother to pay
a suicide bomber and to obtain a stolen car in order to perpetrate
the suicide attack. The teenager confessed that he knew the suicide
bomber and that he had videotaped the terrorists prior to the
attack.
Saed Wadah Awawda, 17 years old, carried out the terrorist
attack at the hitchhiking stop in the French Hill neighborhood of
Jerusalem on June 19, 2002. As a result of the attack 7 citizens
were killed and 37 injured. The "Mourabitun Brigades" took
responsibility on the "Al-Manar" television.
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The hitchhiking stop in French
Hill
Jihad Gawdat Mohammad
Jarrar - A resident of Hashmiya/Jenin, a student, he was 17 years
old when he was caught on his way to perpetrate a suicide attack in
Afula on behalf of the Islamic Jihad. He is currently 18 years old.
Jihad was arrested on July 11, 2001, while he was carrying a bag
that contained an explosive charge. During questioning by the ISA,
he confessed that since he started to think of carrying out
terrorist attacks at the age of 12, he dreamed of shooting Israeli
soldiers. About three years ago he manufactured an improvised rifle
and purchased ammunition. Jihad then told his uncle, a member of the
Islamic Jihad, that he wished to join the organization and his uncle
introduced him to Thabet Mirdawi, a senior Islamic Jihad operative
who was arrested during Operation Defensive Shield. Jihad added that
approximately a month and a half prior to his arrest he met with
Mahmoud Nursi, a senior Islamic Jihad operative in Jenin, who was
killed during Operation Defensive Shield. Jihad told Mahmoud that he
was interested in carrying out a suicide attack and the latter
manufactured an explosive charge that he placed in a bag for Jihad.
Mahmoud instructed him to travel to Afula and detonate that
explosive charge in a crowded area. Mahmoud videotaped Jihad
reciting his last will and testament. On the day of his arrest,
Mahmoud gave Jihad the explosive charge and instructed him on how to
detonate it. Jihad took a taxi to Afula and upon his arrival
attempted unsuccessfully to detonate the charge. He was subsequently
arrested.
Imad Farhan Hamran - A
resident of Hashmiya/Jenin, he was 17 years old when he attempted to
perpetrate a stabbing attack in Afula, along with Jihad Jarar and
another terrorist a year ago. Imad was arrested during operation
Operation Defensive Shield and confessed during questioning that he
had been a member of a terrorist group from his village. The members
of this group were adolescents between the ages of 16 and 18, and
their goal was to become "martyrs". The terrorist group members
underwent physical training. Imad stated that approximately six
months ago Jihad Jarar had proposed to him that he carry out a
suicide attack. Imad then added that prior to the IDF operation in
the Jenin refugee camp, he manufactured explosive charges which he
placed in the ground and in long pipes along the walls.
Hazem Atta Yousef, 17 years old, a resident of Beit Jala. On
July 30, 2002 he carried out the suicide attack at the falafel stand
on Nevi'im Street in Jerusalem, as a result of which 5 people were
lightly injured. The Fatah claimed responsibility for the attack.
Hazem was a student at the "Talita Kumi" high school, which is a
private Christian-Lutheran school. According to his teachers and
principal he was a good student. Hazem arrived at Nevi'im Street, in
the center of town. He noticed two police officers and panicked. He
ran to the entrance of the falafel stand and detonated the explosive
charge he carried on his body. The police officers described the
youth as a cleanshaven boy with gel in his hair, wearing jeans and a
black shirt. He carried a bag in his hand.
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The scene at the falafel
stand
A 17.5 year old youth, a resident of Yamoun/Jenin, was arrested
at the beginning of July 2002. The adolescent confessed during
questioning that approximately a year ago he offered himself to his
friend, an Islamic Jihad operative, as a possible suicide bomber on
behalf of the Islamic Jihad. The youth's friend told him that could
join the organization, but that he would get back to him regarding
his readiness to commit a suicide attack. Approximately a week prior
to the suicide attack at the Megiddo junction on June 5, 2002, in
which 17 Israeli citizens were killed and 42 injured, the Islamic
Jihad operative proposed that he participate in a car bomb attack.
The youth refused and stated that he was afraid of his parents and
that he was worried that Israel would demolish his home if he
carried out the attack.
A 17.5 year old youth, a resident of Yamoun/Jenin, was arrested
in June 2002. The youth confessed that during the summer of 2001 a
Tanzim operative proposed that he carry out a suicide attack within
Israel, and he agreed. Half a year later, the Tanzim operative
instructed the youth to meet with Ali Safouri, a senior Islamic
Jihad operative in Jenin who was arrested during Operation Defensive
Shield, so that Safouri could train him to carry out the attack.
Safouri then gave the youth two options for perpetrating the attack:
first, a suicide attack in a crowded area using an explosive charge,
or second, to enter Israel with a weapon and open fire at a crowd of
civilians. The youth said that he would prefer to carry out a
shooting attack, because he preferred that his body remain whole for
his arrival in heaven. The youth then videotaped himself reciting
his last will and testament, holding a Koran and a rifle. A few days
later, he met with Safouri, who told him that now was not the time
for a terrorist attack and that he should stay in the Jenin refugee
camp and die fighting IDF soldiers. Another Tanzim operative then
proposed that he perpetrate a shooting attack using a Kalashnikov
rifle with which he would supply him. The youth attempted twice,
unsuccessfully, to enter Israel.
Tawfiq Hashem Mahamid and Jalal Khalil Mahamid, residents of the
Jenin area, were both 17.5 years old when they were killed as a
result of an explosion in a vehicle near Mei Ami on February 8,
2002. The two were on their way to carry out a terrorist attack in a
Tel-Aviv nightclub, under the direction of the Islamic Jihad in
Jenin.
Ahmed Abd-El Mounem Ahmed Daraghma, a resident of Toubas, was
17.5 years old when he carried out the suicide attack at the
entrance to Kibbutz Sheluhot on October 7, 2001. An Israeli citizen
was killed in the attack.
Safout Abd-El Rahman Mohammed Khali, a resident of Beit
Wazan/Nablus, was 17.5 years old when he carried out a suicide
attack on Neve Sha'anan street near the old central bus station in
Tel-Aviv on January 25, 2002. As a result of the blast 23 people
were injured. The Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades and the Islamic Jihad's
Jerusalem company claimed responsibility for the attack.
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The old central bus station in
Tel Aviv
Bilal Wagia Kamel Walid-Ali, a resident of Yamoun/Jenin, was
arrested on March 8, 2002 after attempting to perpetrate a suicide
attack using a booby-trapped bird cage in the town of Karkur. Bilal
was arrested three months before he turned 18. During questioning by
the ISA, Bilal confessed that he was a member of the Palestinian
Islamic Jihad and that his cousin, Riad, proposed that he carry out
a suicide attack within Israel, after he discovered that Bilal and
his fathers were at odds. Bilal agreed to the proposal. On the day
of the attack Bilal was given a Kalashnikov rifle from Zeid Younes,
a member of the Fatah Force 17 Presidential Guard. He was videotaped
taking responsibility for the terrorist attack. Rabia Abu Roub, a
senior Islamic Jihad operative from Qabatiya/Nablus, then dressed
Bilal in the explosive charge and placed another charge in the
birdcage. Zeid Younes taught him how to detonate the explosive
charges. Bilal was then instructed to detonate both charges
simultaneously once he arrived at his target area or in the event he
was caught. Upon Bilal's arrival in Karkur, a civilian noticed him
and called him to stop. Bilal attempted to flee, and during the
course of his escape left the birdcage behind. Bilal was arrested
the next day.
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The booby-trapped bird
cage
Ghassan Mahmoud Naif Steiti, a resident of the Jenin refugee
camp, was arrested on March 31, 2002 during the IDF operations in
Ramallah, two months before he turned 18. During questioning by the
ISA, he confessed that he had been recruited to the Islamic Jihad in
Jenin, and that he had agreed to carry out a suicide attack on their
behalf. In December 2001 terrorists from Jenin, with connections in
Ramallah, proposed that he perpetrate a suicide attack.
Subsequently, he left Jenin for Ramallah in January 2002. During his
stay in Ramallah he met Abd El Karim Aweis, a senior and wanted
Fatah operative who turned himself in to IDF forces during Operation
Defensive Shield. Aweis then proposed that he carry out the attack
and Ghassan agreed. Ghassan was then videotaped reciting his last
will and testament and taking responsibility for the attack on
behalf of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Ghassan left in order to perpetrate the suicide attack in
Tel-Aviv. On his way he noticed combat helicopters, was afraid that
they were following him and postponed the attack. A few days later
he attempted to travel to Tel-Aviv in order to carry out the attack,
however the road was blocked and he returned to Ramallah. The third
time he attempted to perpetrate the attack, he was stopped by the
Palestinian General Intelligence. He was arrested by Israeli
security forces during Operation Defensive Shield.
The Use of Children's Props in order to Perpetrate Terrorist
Attacks
During the course of questioning by the ISA, and from findings
discovered during operations by Israeli security forces, it was
revealed that various terrorist organizations are using children's
toys and props, such as backpacks and toys, in order to camouflage
explosive charges. Although these props appear innocent and are not
usually considered suspicious, they contain explosive materials
designed to injure Israeli civilians and soldiers. For example,
during IDF operations in Qalqilya on April 26, 2002 three explosives
laboratories were exposed, containing explosive charges, explosive
materials, grenades and weapons. A child's backpack was found in one
of the laboratories, containing explosive devices ready for
use.
.jpg)
A school backpack containing
explosive devices ready for use
Camouflaging Terrorist Activity near Schools and
Kindergartens
During questioning by the ISA, senior operatives from various
terrorist organizations stated that they often established
explosives laboratories near schools and kindergartens in order to
camouflage their activity, thus placing the Palestinian children at
risk. Slaim Haga, a senior Hamas operative in Samaria who was
arrested during Operation Defensive Shield, confessed during
questioning that he had established an explosives laboratory near a
school and that terrorists had disguised themselves as students by
carrying backpacks and school books. The lab equipment included test
tubes, glass vessels, gas masks and raw material used to manufacture
explosive devices. The location of the laboratory near the school
exposed the children to many dangers such as explosions,
work-related accidents while manufacturing explosive materials, and
exposure to dangerous toxins and materials. In addition, the
terrorists exploited the innocent appearance of children entering
and leaving school in order to camouflage their activities.
In addition, Ahmed Moughrabi, a Tanzim operative from Bethlehem
who was arrested on May 27, 2002, confessed during questioning by
the ISA that he had situated an explosives laboratory within the
Deheisha refugee camp, near a kindergarten. Ahmed and other
activists would conduct experiments and manufacture explosive
materials in the laboratory.
Palestinian Summer Camps
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Palestinian youths
participating in a summer camp in
Kfar Salem, near Nablus, using
fake rifles in order to attack
a model of a settlement at the
camp's graduation ceremony.
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