for letting him out of the house with a toy gun in his hands.

the AP wouldnt even report it. Let alone headline it.

It is the parents that should NOT let any child not matter what with a toygun run the streets Toyguns are look-alikes of the real thing and we know that we had even children using guns against the IDF we see the same in Iraq etc... people need to understand how a soldier has to function in split seconds in these situations Arabs have used children over and again it is sad, but those are the times we live in

Don't get me wrong. I think it's a tragedy that a retarded child had to pay the price for this sensless violence. It's not his fault. But the question comes to mind; Did he HAVE to? In my opinion, it's very strange that a retarded child was in the middle of a group of teenagers throwing rocks at soldiers, at night! When soldiers conduct arrests, they do it very late at night. And why was the only child with a toy gun a retarded child? Could it be just plain irresponsibility of the parents, or just the opposite, full responsibility of someone else? Anyone remember the tragic Palestinian funeral procession that was broadcast on television? The supposed deceased fell out of the coffin onto the ground, got up, and ran away. I hope the former incident isn't similar to the latter.

Pro-israel people are simply justifying it. I applaud your ability to be that indifferent, that biased even over a child's life. It is a horrific to see this mentality. God save us this cruelty!

Shame on tyhe three of you (contributors #s 1, 2 ans 3)! This just tells how lightly soldiers kill Palestinian civilians. this has happened over and over again. And what do you think the result is: more hatred, more anti-Israeli actions planned, etc. And this is not the only Israeli action which could easily be good cause for initiating proceedings against Israeli officials before international criminal tribunals. As the types of abuses and war crimes vary, and go unchecked, Palestinian civilians find ways to respond. Part of the civilian population's response may be illegal, but whether this is true or not is immarterial when it comes to Israeli (re)actions to the Palestinian civilians' reactions, and the story goes on and on! Stop hate speech, love the human (not Goy?!) even if inside your enemy, for things change and we have seen occupiers easily turn into occupied, and oppressors become victims. Let's ensure the rights of all are equally treated and respected, which could not only save lives, but actually move Jewish Israelis on the one hand and Palestinians (Christians, Jews and Moslems) closer to peace (and hopefully democratic, secular state) than ever before. Shalam!

to number 4: what a shame relying on a statement even the IDF has retracted. the 'fake processes' was actually of a group fop actors who have filmed the Jenin Jenin thing! SO, there was no faking of death. Wake up, and do not continue justification of sinsless murder!

Independent media (am sureynet will update their story later) reports the killing was not during the night! IDF entered the village early in the morning, kids went to school, and tear gas, DUMDUM bullets were exchanged with stones! The guy who does not go to school was simply playing near his house! As simple as this!! so nothing about a child left a lone around midnight, or being used!! And it seems he's actually in the 20th rather than 15. Really makes no difference: in all cases there should be procedures prior to killing people. We've seen what happened in Londin when a man was killed when policmen thought he looked Arab! It was investigated, and not repeated! Isarelis: it is your responsibility to stop support for murder. Start now.

keep killing kids usin the excuse that u thought they were playing with a gun.. DONT YOU LEARN FROM UR MISTAKES????? u r so ruthless :( keep killing children, thats what ur good at

For those that don't believe the funeral incident: http://www.factsofisrael.com/blog/archives/000012.html

Would you let your children play with a gun-replica if living in an area of armed conflict? It's not indifference since the palestinians indoctrinates their children to hate Jews from young age.

I think this is a very tragic horrible case that should have consequences. Amongst others the question why the soldier on question shot to kill as opposed to shooting to stop mobility. Also a look in binoculars could have given more information. Down Syndrome Kids are recognizable beyond mistake. I belive IDF has to appologioze on this one, and be examplary. It is to be suspected that this case will be used by Arab propaganda!

First of all, why is the retarded child throwing stiones at soldiers??? Second, why does he have a plastic gun in his hand??? Third, where are his parents and why are the teenagers around him not protecting him and making him leave??? These are all questions that should be dealt with and then you can see who is responsible. Soldiers are on alert and they cannot always see o know what is exactly going on. I don no blame tie IDF at all. And for all you people that say Israel is ruthless, what about all the Israeli children that have been killed in suicide bombings??? You never seem to mention this side of the srtory.

When you are at war, this happens. Join any forces and find out how it works. And to the Peave Lover: Get real ... You said: ....in all cases there should be procedures prior to killing people...... Have you really thought about what you fool said ? according to your way of thinking, there would be NO soldier and his troops left, if they have to spend time ....when in action ........ to spend time on procedures you think there are. Procedure in any army is: Your troops and your life is on the line and you are bound to protect same with the right immediate action. These moments.. are split seconds that flash in any troops minds. that split second could mean if you don't act to protect yourself and your troops ......... you and your men could be dead. Go and take out basic training in any army and get real you lot. We have seen children being used by the cowards Arabs to fight their adult war, Arabs hide behind their children and women. Mothers have stated in the Arab world ... they will produce enough martyrs What does that tell YOU

How can none of you see right through this?? First they continue assassinations on "terror" leaders, and got some Qassams in retaliation (which didn't kill anyone). So then they killed an unarmed 7 yr old girl last week because she was wearing a backpack, and got some Qassams in return again (one of which hit Gaza). Then they shot a middle-aged woman a couple days ago in the chest, they didn't get much in return. So now they kill a retarded teenage boy who was playing with a super soaker (some reports indicate it was actually a stick, but ill give the benefit of the doubt). And still no suicide bombs, yet. Israel is practically BEGGING the Palestinian groups to hit them with suicide bomb and kill scores of civillians so that they can again finally say "look at these Palestinian terrorists, no peace with them!" I only pray the Palestinian fighters don't seek revenge for the little 7 yr old girl with the backpack, and don't seek revenge for the retarded teenager playing with a toy gun, because that's exactly what Israel wants.

Man some of you people are crazy!! I really can't believe what some of you have written. KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE IS WRONG NO MATTER WHAT THE EXCUSE IS!! Do you think i was happy when suicide bombers killed innocent people in Israel??? HELL NO!! Wake up people and stop being so one sided!!!

The fake Palestinian funeral procession was broadcasted on TV as a real funeral, not as a group of actors.

And this is really SICK: Shows how much Arabs really care about their children From the Press Release of: Palestinian Centre for Human Rights PCHR's preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 08:00 on the morning of Wednesday, 15 February 2006, Ibrahim Salim Safi (13) was killed by a bullet to the left side of his body. The bullet was fired during an exchange of fire between members of the Abu Taha and El-Masri families in Khan Yunis. At the time of his death, the child had been cleaning a warehouse belonging to his family in the area where the clashes were taking place. Armed clashes between the Abu Taha and El-Masri families resumed on the evening of Monday, 13 February 2006. Scores of gunmen, armed with guns and homemade rockets, from both families roamed the streets Seven people, including 3 children were injured. Among the injured was Taysir Jum'a Abu Taha, 25, who is now in a coma after suffering a bullet injury to the head. The clashes also extended to Rafah. At approximately 15:40, members of the Abu Taha family fired at shops belonging to members of the rival family in Abu Bakr El-Siddiq Street, in the centre of the city. These attacks coincided with the time school students go home and 7 pupils suffered injuries. In addition, study was suspended in Ahmad Abdel Aziz School and Osama El-Najjar School, which are located in the conflict area. The nearby market was partially closed. PCHR is concerned over the escalation of armed clashes between feuding families and the increasing number of victims, resulting from such violence. For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 - 2825893 PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org

What kind of parents will buy a toy gun that real in the dark for a retarded child in a semi-war zone? What kind of parents will allow that son out of the house with a toy gun especially at night? A typical tactic of the Palestinian’s are to get a group of kids to throw stones or create some of other disturbance and have a few snipers in the middle of the Palestinian shooting at Israelis.

Did you even think what was a retarded kid with a toy gun is doing running towards armed soldiers in a warzone? Ok, lets not talk about that, you are in a middle of a war, shots all around you suddenly you spot someone in a crowd with a gun, that someone is running towards you, you call him to stop but he isent listening do you... A. Wait for him to try and shoot so you can see if its a real gun, maybe he was just joking with you. B. Shoot at him. Can any of the noble souled hypocrits above me answer?

Those who refuse to open each and every link refuse to see the REAL TRUTH. While one may not agree on all points of the editiorial content of the above web pages, PICTURES do not lie!! http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=9050 http://homepage.mac.com/cfj/.Pictures/pal-child-abuse-25.jpg http://www.gamla.org.il/images/war/kids3a.jpg http://www.tc.umn.edu/~nahm0002/child/pal-child-abuse-48.jpg http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=8184 http://www.betar.co.uk/articles/betar1059578683.php (scroll to mid section) Why Palestinian children die http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1226653.jpg http://www.me-rc.info/children/1.jpg and from Al-Haaretz something good worth reading http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/682921.html We drink Jews Blood -------------------------------- "We will have peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate us." Former Prime Minister, Golda Meir

First of all to #8. The Israeli army makes arrests at night. This has been their method for as long as I can remember, and it makes sense for exactly this reason; so there won't be kids outside. So I find your sources highly unlikely. Secondly, I think everyone needs to get a little better perspective of the IDF. Unlike what #14 said, a soldier on a special opperation to arrest a terrorist is under more pressure than any one of you Europeans can immagine. He doesn't sit on a far away hill and scope out the enemy first... he can't even see the enemy! Just put yourself in that situation. You're an Israeli soldier on a mission to arrest a terrorist in a Palestinian village, AT NIGHT. A bunch of Palestinians start throwing rocks at you. Then, out of the corner of your eye, you see someone pointing a gun at you. What would you do? I seriously doubt that you would take too much time before instinctivly defending yourself. I guarantee you that if that soldier would have know that the gun was a toy, he wouldn't have pulled the trigger, because that's one of the things that seperates the IDF from terror organizations; the value of human life. I'm not justifying the killing. I'm just justifying the mistake.

Ever hear of Shalhevet Pass?

http://www.israelnewsagency.com/babysuicideterrorismisrael.jpg http://www24.brinkster.com/insightdirect/pics/childrenwithguns.jpg http://www.israel-wat.com/x1_eng.jpg Indeed pictures do not lie!

But I agree with the posters who say it is just as much the parent's fault as it is the soldiers.What in the world were these people thinking letting a mentally handicapped boy carry a gun out into an area which for all intents and purposes was a war zone around heavily armed soldiers just like that?

Law refutes Israeli claims of staged Jenin 'burials' 8 May 2002 E-MAIL THIS REPORT Enter recipient's e-mail: On Sunday, May 5, LAW organized a press conference in which it refutes Israeli claims that Palestinians had staged fake 'burials' in Jenin. The fake 'burials', the Israeli army spokesmen say, were an attempt to "prove" that there were many more Palestinians killed than actually were. However, at the press conference, LAW showed and compared footage taken from an Israeli military drone on April 28, 2002, and footage taken by Palestinian film producer, Mohammad Bakri, who was shooting at the same site. What the footage actually shows is a group of children playing "funeral" near the cemetry in Jenin. It is not uncommon in the occupied Palestinian territories to witness Palestinian children playing a game where they pretend they have been killed. It is part of a phenomenon raising fears among child experts and that a generation in the Palestinian territories has suffered serious psychological damage from Israeli violence directed against the Palestinian civilian population. Moreover, the footage does not show a typical funeral, since there were no flags, which usually is seen at many Palestinian funerals, and the children were running, which is not common for an actual funeral. Israeli and foreign media quoted the head of field intelligence for land forces in the Israeli army, Colonel Miri Eisen, who said that "the film speaks for itself," adding "they tried to fabricate evidence of funerals to inflate the number of their dead." The media uncritically took up the Israeli spokesmen conclusions, without investigating what the footage actually shows. It is not first time that Israeli army spokesmen fabricate distortions, including, blaming Palestinian parents for their childrens' death, and that Palestinian children are "just killed by accident".

PALLYWOOD: The Palestinians appear to be staging photo-op scenes for the purpose of disseminating bogus news videos that are sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. Manipulation of the media by Palestinian propagandists. "eyewitness testimony" coming out of the Palestinian territories have frequently been bogus and staged. http://seconddraft.org/streaming/pallywood.wmv if above link not working try this link below http://www.shiriandsammy.com/movies/pallywood.wmv