Israel's tightened security has foiled several attacks in recent days.

[usmc4669]

On Wednesday, soldiers stopped a 16-year-old Palestinian boy, Hussam Abdo, with a bomb vest strapped to his body at a crowded West Bank checkpoint. During a tense standoff, the boy removed the vest at gunpoint before it was detonated by the army.

Abdo remained in Israeli custody Friday, but military sources said he might be released in coming days. Three teenage friends of his also were taken into custody, their parents said Friday.

One of them is a cousin of 16-year-old Sabih Abu Saud, who became the youngest Palestinian suicide bomber when, after being cornered by Israeli soldiers, he blew himself up near a West Bank checkpoint in November.

The Al Aqsa group, which had recruited Abu Saud, denied any links to Hussam Abdo. The family of Hussam said the boy was gullible and easily manipulated, and relatives demanded that militants stop using children for attacks.

"It is forbidden to send him to fight. He is young, he is small, he should be in school. Someone pressured him, maybe because they killed Ahmed Yassin," wailed Abdo's mother, Tamam.




Palestinian teenager Hussam Abdo stands bare chested after taking off an explosive vest at an Israeli checkpoint south of the West Bank town of Nablus Wednesday March 24, 2004 in this image from television. (AP Photo/ APTN)

[charlie222]

Also, He was given $22.00 and the usual Virgins in Heaven trip after his deed was done. charlie222 out.

[Toby M]

How sad...Terrorists have resorted to some lows but this one takes the cake. It shows how truly evil they really are. It also show how little they value human life-not to mention the future of their country. I hope we (United States) never resort to this type of warfare.

[usmc4669]

They hate Americans, then do you notice that he was wearing jeans?