Last update - 00:00 22/09/2007
PA officials: 4 Gaza children hurt while playing with explosives
By The Associated Press
Four Palestinian children were injured while playing with explosive material in northern Gaza, Palestinian officials said on Saturday.
The four children, aged 9 - 14, were treated for light to moderate injuries, said Health Ministry official Moaiwa Hassanein. They were playing in a former Israeli settlement, Hassanein said.
Hamas security officials said the explosives were left behind by the Israel Defense Forces. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, removing 21 settlements and all its army bases. However, Palestinian militants also use the settlement to launch rockets into Israel.
Israeli officials were unavailable for comment.
On Friday, four other children were also injured while playing with explosives in the Gaza Strip.