View source for Use of child suicide bombers by Palestinian militant groups

{{short description|Child exploitation by Palestinian militant groups}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{use mdy dates|date=September 2014}}

As part of the [[Arab–Israeli conflict]], especially during the [[Second Intifada]] from 2000 to 2005, [[State of Palestine|Palestinian]] militant groups used children for [[suicide bombings]].<ref name=boybomber>{{cite web | title=Family of boy bomber lashes out at militants | website=NBC News | date=2004-03-24 | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4592829 | access-date=2025-04-20}}</ref> Minors were sometimes used as messengers and couriers, and according to Israeli sources as fighters.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20060421014945/http://www.child-soldiers.org/document_get.php?id=966 Pg.304</ref> The involvement of children in armed conflict was condemned by international human rights organizations.<ref name="HRW Stop Use of Children">{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/en/news/2004/11/01/occupied-territories-stop-use-children-suicide-bombings |title=Occupied Territories: Stop Use of Children in Suicide Bombings |publisher=Human Rights Watch |date=November 2, 2004 |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826045837/http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2004/11/01/occupied-territories-stop-use-children-suicide-bombings |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3979887.stm |work=BBC News |title=Child suicide attacks 'must stop' |date=November 3, 2004 |access-date=September 5, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051113200910/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3979887.stm |archive-date=November 13, 2005 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Amnesty International]] noted, "Palestinian armed groups have repeatedly shown total disregard for... the right to life, by deliberately targeting Israeli civilians and by using Palestinian children in armed attacks," and that, "Children are susceptible to recruitment by manipulation... including a desire to avenge relatives or friends killed by the Israeli army."<ref>{{cite web |date=September 6, 2009 |title=Israel/Occupied Territories: Palestinian armed groups must not use children - Amnesty International |url=http://asiapacific.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE150332005?open&of=ENG-ISR |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906152355/http://asiapacific.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE150332005?open&of=ENG-ISR |archive-date=September 6, 2009}}</ref>

== Background ==

According to [[Haaretz]]' Hebrew edition, a Shabak report published on September 26, 2004, stated that from September 2000 to September 2004, 292 Palestinian children had been involved in [[terrorism]].<ref>{{cite news |date=September 26, 2004 |title=1,017 הרוגים באינתיפאדה, מהם 70% אזרחים |trans-title=1,017 killed in Intifada, of whom 70% are citizens |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/2004-09-26/ty-article/0000017f-e742-dea7-adff-f7fb81fb0000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126002144/http://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/1.1002121 |archive-date=January 26, 2016 |access-date=September 5, 2014 |newspaper=[[Haaretz]] |language=he}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shabak report September 26, 2004 |url=http://my.ynet.co.il/pic/news/final/final.doc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050418061520/http://my.ynet.co.il/pic/news/final/final.doc |archive-date=2005-04-18 |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=my.ynet.co.il}}</ref>

According to the [[Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group]], in the [[Second Intifada]], children were used as "messengers and couriers, and in some cases as fighters and suicide bombers in attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians" during the Second Intifada. [[Fatah]], [[Hamas]], [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement]] and the [[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine]] have all been implicated in involving children in this way. The issue was brought to world attention after a widely televised incident in which a mentally handicapped Palestinian teenager, [[Hussam Abdo]], was disarmed at an Israeli checkpoint.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/mar/28/israel1 |title=In a war without heroes, this boy was no martyr |publisher=The Observer |last=Kiley |first=Sam |location=London |date=March 28, 2004 |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420015352/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/mar/28/israel1 |archive-date=April 20, 2014 }}</ref>

== Suicide bombings by minors ==
In late 2004, [[Human Rights Watch]] claimed that at least 10 bombers aged under 18 had been used by Palestinian militants to carry out attacks against Israel in the past four years.<ref name=:3979887>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3979887.stm Child suicide attacks 'must stop'. BBC.]</ref>

The main Palestinian militant groups have publicly stated their opposition to the use of children in suicide attacks.<ref name=:3979887/>

[[Hamas]], [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]] and the [[al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade]] were all linked to underage attacks in the HRW report.<ref name=:3979887/>

A report by the [[Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers]], similarly stated that there were at least nine documented suicide bombings against Israeli soldiers and civilians involving Palestinian minors between October 2000 and March 2004.<ref name="CSGR2004-292">{{cite book |url=http://www.child-soldiers.org/document_get.php?id=966 |title=Child Soldiers Global Report 2004 |publisher=Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-9541624-2-9 |page=292 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060421014945/http://www.child-soldiers.org/document_get.php?id=966 |archive-date=2006-04-21}}</ref> The report also found that "there was no evidence of systematic recruitment of children by Palestinian armed groups".<ref name=CSGR2004-292/> [[Human Rights Watch]] accepted the report and wrote that "there was no evidence that the Palestinian Authority (PA) recruited or used child soldiers".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2004/childsoldiers0104/9.htm |title=Child Soldier Use 2003: A Briefing for the 4th UN Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict: Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories |publisher=Human Rights Watch |access-date=2006-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172714/http://www.hrw.org/reports/2004/childsoldiers0104/9.htm |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Some senior Palestinian militant figures had previously said that they considered individuals aged 16 or above as adults.<ref name=:3979887/>

On November 1, 2004, 16-year-old [[Aamer Alfar|Amar Alfar]] engaged in a suicide bombing attack in [[Tel Aviv]]'s [[Carmel Market]], killing three Israelis, that was claimed by the [[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Staff |first=Haaretz |title=Bombing kills 3 in Tel Aviv market |url=https://www.haaretz.com/2004-11-02/ty-article/bombing-kills-3-in-tel-aviv-market/0000017f-db81-df9c-a17f-ff99cf2e0000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250717212055/https://www.haaretz.com/2004-11-02/ty-article/bombing-kills-3-in-tel-aviv-market/0000017f-db81-df9c-a17f-ff99cf2e0000 |archive-date=2025-07-17 |access-date=2025-07-17 |work=Haaretz.com |language=en}}</ref> Alfar's mother and father condemned what they saw as the exploitation of their son:<blockquote>God will curse those who recruited Amar. I had heard the stories about recruiting children in Nablus but I didn't think they were true... Yes, it is difficult here for everyone because of the occupation, and life in Nablus is intolerable, but children should not be exploited in this way.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Following the attack, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, admitted it had made a mistake and vowed to improve its age checking procedures.<ref name=":3979887" />

[[Umm Nidal]] was a Palestinian militant who supported several of her sons in their armed attacks against Israel. She has been described by [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] as having sent three of her sons on "suicide missions" and as a "mother of suicide bombers".<ref name=abc/> According to [[Al Jazeera]], one of her sons, who was 17 years old, was shot dead while conducting a shooting attack on an Israeli settlement with her approval, another was killed while preparing an attack and a third one was killed while transporting rockets.<ref name="AJ">{{cite news |title='Mother of martyrs' runs for Hamas |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2005/12/9/mother-of-martyrs-runs-for-hamas |access-date=22 August 2023 |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |date=2005-12-09}}</ref> She said "I love my children, but as Muslims we pressure ourselves and sacrifice our emotions for the interest of the homeland. The greater interest takes precedence to the personal interest". She was later [[2006 Palestinian legislative election|elected to the Palestinian legislature in 2006]]  on the Hamas-led [[Change and Reform]] [[electoral list]].<ref name=abc>{{cite news |title = Suicide Bombers' Mother Elected to Palestinian Parliament. 'Mother of the Struggle' Says She Would Sacrifice Remaining Sons for Jihad |publisher = ABC News Internet Ventures |date = January 26, 2006 |url = https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/print?id=1536576 |access-date = July 12, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070804160338/https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/print?id=1536576 |archive-date = August 4, 2007 |url-status = live }}</ref>

== Searches and prosecution of minors ==

=== By the State of Israel ===

On March 24, 2004, one week after capturing a bomb in the bag of 12-year-old [[Abdullah Quran]], [[Hussam Abdo]], a 16-year-old Palestinian (who initially claimed he was 14), was captured in a checkpoint near [[Nablus]] wearing an [[explosive belt]]. The young boy was paid by the [[Tanzim]] militia to detonate himself at the checkpoint.{{clarify|date=November 2024}}{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} IDF soldiers manning the checkpoint were suspicious of him and told him to stay away from people. Later, an [[bomb disposal|EOD]] team arrived and by using a police-sapper robot, removed the explosive belt from him.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.idf.il/SIP_STORAGE/DOVER/files///1//28131.jpg |access-date=2023-04-12 |title=Image |format=JPG |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040526023013/http://www1.idf.il/SIP_STORAGE/DOVER/files/1/28131.jpg |archive-date=May 26, 2004 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/mar/17/israel1 | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Israelis say boy, 11, used as bomber | first=Chris | last=McGreal | date=March 17, 2004 | access-date=April 28, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828003111/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/mar/17/israel1 | archive-date=August 28, 2013 | url-status=live }}</ref> Hussam allegedly said that he was offered 100 [[New Israeli Sheqel|NIS]] and sex with virgins if he would perform the task. He said his friends mocked him in class.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rabinowitz |first=Gavin |title=Israelis Stop Teen Wearing Suicide Vest |agency=Associated Press |date=March 25, 2004 |newspaper=The Charleston Gazette |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-13848450.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328174010/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-13848450.html |archive-date=March 28, 2015 |access-date=September 5, 2014|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Efrat Weiss |date=March 24, 2004 |url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/1,7340,L-2893762,00.html |newspaper=[[Ynet]] |script-title=he:"נער הנפץ" לחיילים: באתי להתפוצץ כי הבטיחו סקס |language=he |trans-title="The explosive young" to soldiers: I came to explode because they promised sex |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105065606/http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/1,7340,L-2893762,00.html |archive-date=November 5, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On May 30, 2004, ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported Israeli allegations that the [[al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades]] were using children to recruit classmates as suicide bombers, and that one child, Nasser Awartani, 15, of Nablus allegedly recruited four of his classmates, one of whom was claimed by the [[Shin Bet|Shabak]] report on Awartani to be Hussam Abdo.<ref>{{cite news |author=Greg Myre |author-link=Greg Myre |date=May 30, 2004 |title=Israel Says Children Are Used to Recruit Bombers |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/30/international/middleeast/30teen.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3As%2C{%221%22%3A%22RI%3A5%22} |access-date=September 5, 2014}}</ref>

On July 3, the [[Israeli Security Forces]] claim that they thwarted a suicide bombing that it claimed was to have been carried out by 16-year-old Muataz Takhsin Karini. Karini and two of his operators were arrested, while a 12&nbsp;kg [[explosive belt]] was detonated safely by an Israeli [[Bomb disposal|EOD]] crew.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 4, 2004 |script-title=he:נעצרו 3 פלשתינאים שתיכננו פיגוע בירושלים |language=he |trans-title=Three Palestinians arrested who planned an attack in Jerusalem |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/1.978958 |newspaper=[[Haaretz]] |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217173926/http://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/1.978958 |archive-date=December 17, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 5, IDF forces detonated two explosive belts concealed in schoolbags. On July 14, the [[Shin Bet]] in Kfar Maskha arrested 17-year-old suicide bomber Ahmed Bushkar, from [[Nablus]].<ref>{{cite news |date=July 16, 2004 |url=http://news.walla.co.il/?w=//571353 |script-title=he:צה"ל הרג בכיר בחמאס שהתבצר בחברון |language=he |trans-title=IDF kills senior Hamas entrenched in Hebron |publisher=[[Walla!]] |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305082619/http://news.walla.co.il/?w=%2F%2F571353 |archive-date=March 5, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On September 23, 2004, a day before [[Yom Kippur]], the [[Shin Bet]] and the [[Israel Police]] claimed they had captured of a 15-year-old suicide bomber and a 7&nbsp;kg [[explosive belt]] in the village of Dir-Hana in the [[Galilee|Western Galilee]]. The 15-year-old was part of joint terrorist cell of Tanzim and [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement|Palestinian Islamic Jihad]] from Yamon village near [[Jenin]]. The four were Palestinians who worked illegally in Israel. The 15-year-old was allegedly paid 1000 shekels in order to blow himself up in [[Afula]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Amos Harel |date=September 23, 2004 |title=Heightened alert set for Yom Kippur; Afula attack thwarted |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/heightened-alert-set-for-yom-kippur-afula-attack-thwarted-1.135493 |newspaper=[[Haaretz]] |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107002201/http://www.haaretz.com/news/heightened-alert-set-for-yom-kippur-afula-attack-thwarted-1.135493 |archive-date=January 7, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Roni Singer |author2=Ran Reznick |author3=Amos Harel |date=September 25, 2004 |script-title=he:יום כיפור: עשרות ילדים התלוננו על גניבת אופניים |language=he |trans-title=Yom Kippur: Dozens of children complained of bicycle theft |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/1.1001257 |newspaper=[[Haaretz]] |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107002201/http://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/1.1001257 |archive-date=January 7, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to [[nrg Maariv]], on September 27, 2004, a 15-year-old suspected suicide bomber was arrested in [[Nablus]].<ref>{{cite news |date=September 27, 2004 |script-title=he:נעצר פלסטיני בן 15 החשוד בכוונה לבצע פיגוע התאבדות |language=he |trans-title=15-year-old Palestinian was arrested in suspect of intentionally committing a suicide attack |url=http://news.walla.co.il/?w=//604999 |publisher=[[Walla!]] |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305082630/http://news.walla.co.il/?w=%2F%2F604999 |archive-date=March 5, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> On October 28, Ayub Maaruf, a 16-year-old [[Fatah]] suicide bomber, was arrested near Nablus along with his operator.<ref>{{cite news |author=Marwan 'Athamneh |author2=Amir Bohbot |date=October 28, 2004 |script-title=he:המחבל המיועד: נער בן 16 |language=he |trans-title=Designated terrorist: 16-year-old youth |url=http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART/806/648.html |publisher=[[nrg Maariv]] |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107002200/http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART/806/648.html |archive-date=January 7, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to [[Israel Defense Forces]], on February 3, 2005, [[Mahmoud Tabouq]], a 15 or 16-year-old Palestinian, was arrested at the [[Huwara checkpoint]] near [[Nablus]] carrying a bag containing an [[explosive belt]], an improvised gun, and 20 bullets. The belt was detonated safely by a [[Israel Border Police|Magav]] [[bomb disposal|bomb squad]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/535850.html |title=Six Israelis hurt in shooting attacks in Gaza, W. Bank |date=2005-02-04 |newspaper=Haaretz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207175128/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/535850.html |archive-date = 2005-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Palestinian Child Wearing an Apparent Explosive Belt Arrested at the Hawara Checkpoint |publisher=Israel Defense Forces |date=2005-02-03 |url=http://www1.idf.il/dover/site/mainpage.asp?sl=EN&id=7&docid=37529.EN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050305065025/http://www1.idf.il/DOVER/site/mainpage.asp?sl=EN |archive-date=March 5, 2005 }} Video available.</ref>

According to [[Ynet]], on April 12, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy identified as [[Hassan Hashash]] was caught at Huwara checkpoint hiding five [[pipe bomb]]s under his coat. He tried to ignite them with a match when the soldiers apprehended him. Later he was disarmed, and [[sapper]]s detonated the bombs safely. Family members of Hashash suggested that he deliberately carried bombs into an IDF checkpoint in order to be arrested and study for the "Bagrut" final [[test (student assessment)|exams]] in the Israeli jail.<ref>{{cite news |author=Efrat Weiss |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3071736,00.html |title=Boy carrying 5 bombs detained |date=April 12, 2005 |publisher=[[Ynetnews]] |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103074730/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3071736,00.html |archive-date=January 3, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to Hebrew language sources, on April 27, two teenagers, aged 15 (though other sources cite their ages as 12 and 13), were arrested at a checkpoint near [[Jenin]] after 11 [[explosive material|explosive charges]] were found on them. One teenager was recruited by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the other by the [[al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades]]. The two told interrogators that they had been acting as couriers for terrorists, but security forces suspect they planned to get close to the soldiers and then detonate the charges.<ref>{{cite news |author=Uri Glickman |date=April 27, 2005 |publisher=[[nrg Maariv]] |url=http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART/927/177.html |script-title=he:הנערים תכננו להתפוצץ במחסום |language=he |trans-title=The boys had planned to blow up a checkpoint |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107002200/http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART/927/177.html |archive-date=January 7, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to [[Ynet]], on May 22, Iad Ladi, a 14 or 15-year-old Palestinian [[suicide attack|suicide bomber]] was arrested at a Huwara checkpoint near [[Nablus]]. This was the 14th time during April and May that a Palestinian child was arrested as a bomber or a courier. Two days later, another 15-year-old Palestinian teen carrying two pipe bombs, was caught at the same checkpoint. On June 15, The Israeli press reported that the [[Shin Bet|Shabak]] arrested a Palestinian militant cell in Nablus during the previous month. The cell included eight members, four of whom were child suicide bombers. The cell was on the verge of committing another suicide bombing attack using the four children. According to the Shin Bet, the cell was directed and funded by the Fatah's Tanzim branch and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.<ref>{{cite news |author=Efrat Weiss |title=Teen bombers detained |publisher=[[Ynetnews]] |date=June 15, 2005 |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3099440,00.html |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103074730/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3099440,00.html |archive-date=January 3, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to [[Ynet]], on October 11, 2005, a 14-year-old Palestinian boy was arrested by IDF forces. He told the soldiers he was forced to agree to commit a suicide bombing when two terrorists from Fatah's Tanzim faction threatened to murder him by spreading a leaflet accusing him of collaboration unless he agreed. They took pictures of him with a gun and the [[Qur'an]] and forced him to write his own will.<ref>{{cite news |author=Efrat Weiss |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3154341,00.html |title=Boy pressed to carry out attack |date=October 12, 2005 |publisher=[[Ynetnews]] |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305103958/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3154341,00.html |archive-date=March 5, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to [[Ynet]], on August 27, 2007, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy carrying two explosive devices on his body was arrested in the northern Gaza Strip after he attempted to carry out an attack against soldiers operating in the area against Palestinians launching [[Qassam rocket]]s on Israeli civilians across the border inside Israel.<ref>{{cite news |author=Hanan Greenberg |date=August 30, 2007 |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3443790,00.html |title=IDF arrests Palestinian boy carrying explosives |publisher=[[Ynetnews]] |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816031546/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3443790,00.html |archive-date=August 16, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Media depictions and public diplomacy==
{{further|Public diplomacy of Israel|Palestinian propaganda}}

In 2002, during the [[Second Intifada]], the [[IDF Spokesperson's Unit|Israeli military used]] an image of a Palestinian toddler dressed as a suicide bomber as part of [[Hasbara|Israel's public diplomacy]].<ref name="just fun" /> The photo provided to international media by the IDF allegedly showed an 18-month infant dressed like a suicide bomber. The BBC published the photo but said, "there was no independent confirmation of the authenticity of the photograph".<ref name="just fun" /> The IDF claimed to have found the photo in a private family photo album, while raiding a suspect's home.<ref name="just fun" /> [[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] [[Dawn News|News]] reported that the photo was found in the home of a wanted militant named "Al Khalil".<ref name="dawn photo" >{{cite news |title=Argument over baby's picture |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/45235/argument-over-baby-s-picture |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=DAWN.COM |date=29 June 2002 |language=en}}</ref> According to [[BBC News]] the baby's grandfather, Redwan Abu Turki, said that the dressing of the infant baby as a bomber was from a rally at the university and "the picture was taken just for the fun of it".<ref name="just fun" >{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2075072.stm |title=Baby bomber photo 'just fun'] |work=BBC News |date=June 29, 2002 |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107002201/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2075072.stm |archive-date=January 7, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Israeli newspapers published the photo under headlines such as "Terror in Diapers".<ref>{{cite web| quote= "Terror in Diapers" (photo caption) | author= Maariv | via = CNN | url= http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/06/28/baby.photo/index.html | title= Photo of baby suicide bomber called 'a joke' | date= June 29, 2002 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070221085401/http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/06/28/baby.photo/index.html | archive-date= February 21, 2007 }}</ref> and "Born to Kill".<ref>{{cite news| quote= "Born to kill" (photo caption) | work= The Jerusalem Post | date= June 28, 2002 }}</ref>{{Title incomplete}} The image was also shown on Israeli television.<ref name="cnn photo" />

A senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister [[Ariel Sharon]] said, "The photograph of the baby suicide bomber symbolizes the incitement and hatred which the Palestinian leadership have been using to brainwash an entire generation of Palestinian children who have, unfortunately, taken in this message like mother's milk".<ref name="cnn photo" >{{cite web| publisher= CNN | url= http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/06/28/baby.photo/index.html | title= Photo of baby suicide bomber called 'a joke' | date= June 29, 2002 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070221085401/http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/06/28/baby.photo/index.html | archive-date= February 21, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="cbs photo" >{{cite news |title=Outrage Over 'Baby Bomber' Pic - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/outrage-over-baby-bomber-pic/ |work=www.cbsnews.com |date=28 June 2002}}</ref>

[[Saeb Erekat]], a Palestinian negotiator and cabinet minister said, "These are lies that they use to cover their own crimes, the murder of our children ... This week alone, six children were killed at the hands of Israeli forces".<ref name="dawn photo"/>

The photo was obtained by the IDF from a family photo album, and only [[Hasbara|used in public diplomacy by Israel]], there was no suggestion that photo had been used in any Palestinian media or any other [[Palestinian propaganda|organized public communications by Palestinians]].<ref name="just fun" /><ref name="haa" /><ref name="cnn photo" /> Palestinian officials dismissed it as a [[propaganda]] trick, ''[[Haaretz]]'' reported that a Palestinian journalist in the Hebron area said she did not believe the picture was a fake and expressed surprise at the furor it caused in Israel, noting: "I can find you many, many photos like this," she said. "Many kids imitate adults and wear toy masks and guns, especially during marches. It's not strange at all". She added that she had seen children as young as the one in the photograph wearing similar costumes: "In our society it happens a lot. It's a kind of phenomenon".<ref name="haa" >{{cite news |title=PA minister: Israelis shouldn't be shocked by 'baby bomber' pic |newspaper=Haaretz |date=June 29, 2002 |url=http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=181370&contrassID=1&subContrassID=0&sbSubContrassID=0 |archive-date=December 6, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051206195110/http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=181370&contrassID=1&subContrassID=0&sbSubContrassID=0}}</ref>

The BBC report said it was "not uncommon" for Palestinian children to dress as bombers, but did not give other examples.<ref name="just fun"/> Other photos of Palestinian children dressed up as militants, but not suicide bombers, were published in the same BBC report, including a photo of two boys wearing militant insignia and holding (what looked like) guns, captioned: "The militants are heroes for many Palestinian children".<ref name="just fun"/> Children on both sides of the conflict see combatants from their own side as "heroes" and dress up as them. In 2024 (during the [[Gaza war]]) the most popular [[Purim costume]] for children in Israel was an IDF soldier.<ref name="JPost Purim" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Wartime Purim: In Israel, Sales of IDF Soldier Costumes for Kids Are Surging |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-03-18/ty-article-magazine/.premium/wartime-purim-in-israel-sales-of-idf-soldier-costumes-for-kids-are-surging/0000018e-4ce3-d011-afef-7ef716a80000 |access-date=16 November 2024 |work=[[Haaretz]] |date=18 March 2024}}</ref> [[The Jerusalem Post]] reported a "trend towards choosing real-life heroes over fictional ones" to dress up as for Purim.<ref name="JPost Purim" >{{cite news |title=IDF soldier costumes top the charts for Purim 2024 post Oct. 7 |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-790631 |access-date=16 November 2024 |work= JPost.com [[The Jerusalem Post]] |date=6 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The IDF costumes were controversial in the [[Jewish diaspora]].<ref>{{cite news |title=IDF Costume For Kids Causes a Stir |url=https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/israeli-soldier-costume-for-kids-causes-a-stir |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=Tablet Magazine |date=28 October 2015}}</ref>

== International opinions ==
{{over-quotation|section|date=May 2021}}

=== Human rights organizations ===

According to [[Human Rights Watch]], "Major Palestinian armed groups, including Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Islamic Jihad, and Hamas, have publicly disavowed the use of children in military operations, but those stated policies have not always been implemented. Some leaders, including representatives of Islamic Jihad and Hamas, have said that they consider children of 16 to be adults. International law defines a child as any person under the age of eighteen. [...] Israeli government policy in the Occupied Territories defines Palestinians under the age of 16 as minors while Israeli children in the same territories are considered minors until they reach the age of 18".<ref name="HRW Stop Use of Children"/>

=== Views of foreign academics ===

According to emeritus professor of [[psychiatry]] at the [[University of Virginia School of Medicine]] [[Vamik Volkan]], "Most suicide bombers in the Middle East are chosen as teenagers, "educated", and then sent off to perform their duty when they are in their late teens or early to mid-twenties. The "education" is most effective when religious elements of the large-group identity are provided as solutions for the personal sense of helplessness, shame, and humiliation".<ref name=Volkan>[[Vamik D. Volkan]]: [http://www.akademikortadogu.com/belge/ortadogu8%20makale/vamik_d_volkan.pdf Suicide Bombers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305074744/http://www.akademikortadogu.com/belge/ortadogu8%20makale/vamik_d_volkan.pdf |date=March 5, 2016 }} University of Virginia</ref> Volkan gives the examples of beatings, torture, or the loss of a parent as typical humiliating events that might make a young person more susceptible to recruitment for [[suicide terrorism]].<ref name=Volkan/>

[[Anne Speckhard]], an academic who studies Psychiatry at [[Georgetown University]] and [[Vesalius College]], says there is a "cult of martyrdom" in Palestinian society.<ref>{{cite book |last=Speckhard |first=Anne |chapter-url=http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/images/files/publication_pdfs/65/2005-07-Topics_in_Terrorism.pdf |chapter=Understanding Suicide Terrorism: Countering Human Bombs and Their Senders |title=Topics in Terrorism: Toward a Transatlantic Consensus on the Nature of the Threat |volume=I |editor=Jason S. Purcell |editor2=Joshua D. Weintraub |publisher=Atlantic Council Publication |year=2005 |access-date=October 27, 2015 |archive-date=February 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209145150/http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/images/files/publication_pdfs/65/2005-07-Topics_in_Terrorism.pdf | quote= In the Palestinian territories, there currently exists a "cult of martyrdom". From a very young age children are socialized into a group consciousness that honors "martyrs", including human bombers who have given their lives for the fight against what is perceived by Palestinians to be the unjust occupation of their lands. Young children are told stories of "martyrs". Many young people wear necklaces venerating particular "martyrs", posters decorate the walls of towns and rock and music videos extol the virtues of bombers. Each act of suicide terrorism is also marked by a last testament and video, which are prepared ahead of time by the "martyr" who can later reach great popularity when the video is played on television. Despite the very deep and real grief of the family and friends left behind, the funerals of "martyrs" are generally accompanied with much fanfare by community and sponsoring organization. Often, the effect of this is confusing to outsiders as it can disrupt, delay and even circumvent the family's ability to focus on its grief over the loss of a family member and it may even support the family in claiming to outsiders joy over the loss of its loved one. This "cult of martyrdom", which has a strong underpinning in longstanding cultural roots (the honoring of martyrs), appears to have developed principally over the last decade, as the first act of suicide terrorism occurred in Israel only twelve years ago. }}</ref>

== See also ==
{{portal|Israel|Palestine}}
{{div col}}
* [[List of Palestinian militant groups suicide attacks]]
* [[Assassination of Benazir Bhutto]] in 2007 by a 15-year-old suicide bomber.<ref>{{cite news | title= Benazir Bhutto assassination: How Pakistan covered up killing | url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42409374 | work= BBC News | date=27 December 2017 | quote= Bhutto was murdered on 27 December 2007 by a 15-year-old suicide bomber called Bilal. }}</ref>
* [[Shaheed Benazir Bhutto]]
* ''{{annotated link|The Making of a Martyr}}''
* [[Female suicide bomber]]
* {{Slink|List of Lehi operations #Rejected plans}}
* [[Military use of children]]
* [[Palestinian political violence]]
* [[Human rights in the Palestinian National Authority]]
* [[Human rights violations against Palestinians by Israel]]
* [[Use of child soldiers in the Houthi insurgency in Yemen]]
* [[Asymmetric warfare]]
* [[Operation Samson]]
* {{annotated link|Mechina}}
{{end div col}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
*Carpenter, Charli R. (2006). ''Innocent Women And Children: Gender, Norms and the Protection of Civilians''. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. {{ISBN|0-7546-4745-5}}

==External links==
* [https://www.childrensrightsinstitute.org/ The Children's Rights Institute]
* [http://www.akademikortadogu.com/belge/ortadogu8%20makale/vamik_d_volkan.pdf Suicide Bombers] by [[Vamik D. Volkan]] of the University of Virginia
* {{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1446003.stm |title=School trains suicide bombers |author=Jeremy Cooke  |work=[[BBC News]] |date=July 18, 2001}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.jcpa.org/brief/brief2-8.htm |title=The Recruitment of Children in Current Palestinian Strategy |author=Justus Weiner |author-link=Justus Weiner |publisher=[[Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs]]}}

{{Human rights}}
{{Arab–Israeli conflict|selected=|expanded=}}

[[Category:Child soldiers]]
[[Category:War propaganda]]
[[Category:Public diplomacy]]
[[Category:Palestinian war crimes]]
[[Category:Suicide bombing in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]
[[Category:War crimes against children in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]