Palestinian youth Hussam Abdo stares at journalists as Israeli soldiers present him to the media at the Hawara checkpoint near the northern West Bank city of Nablus March 24, 2004. (AP)
Palestinian Boy Story aired: Friday, March 26, 2004
A Palestinian schoolboy surrendered at an Israeli checkpoint this week, aborting a suicide bombing mission. The boy, Hussam Abdo, was recruited by an as-yet unidentified extremist group. He had a belt of explosives strapped under his sweater when he came to the checkpoint. The group promised him they would send his mother $23. The teenager is now in Israeli custody. His family and many Palestinians have openly condemned the manipulation of the boy by those seeking to bomb Israelis.
Hussam Abdo's parents do not speak English, so they asked a neighbor, Hilmi Lahham, to speak to us earlier today. Listen here to the interview.
