The Israeli army said today a preliminary investigation of the deaths of five Palestinian boys in the Gaza Strip last week showed they were killed by an explosive device planted by Israeli soldiers.
The army initially said that the boys, who were walking to school, were killed on Thursday by an unexploded Israeli tank shell, but Palestinian sources insisted they were blown up by an Israeli booby-trap.
"The findings show the device...was planted by soldiers at a position that was used regularly by terrorists who often fire at a military post and the (Israeli) settlement of Ganei Tal", an army statement said.
The device was not detonated by the army, the statement said. We are examining the possibility it blew up after one of the children hit it or that ordinance at the firing position exploded and triggered the blast, it said.
"The result - five dead children - is severe and very sad", the statement said.
Israeli newspapers, which had already reported the findings based on information from security sources, have blasted the army for planting a booby-trap in an open area accessible to children.
There have been no reports of any disciplinary action by the army following the explosion.
But the army statement said chief of staff Mr Shaul Mofaz had ordered the probe to continue and focus on command, operational and technical issues .
Reuters