The boys were reportedly searching for scrap metal when they were shot by Israeli soldiers [AFP]"Israeli troops have shot dead two Palestinian children in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical staff said. An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed on Friday that troops had shot at what they said were suspicious figures trying to plant an object close to the border fence.
"The soldiers reported hitting three people, two of whom were evacuated by Palestinian ambulance workers, she added. The two boys, believed to be aged 12 and 13, were reportedly searching the area near Beit Lahiya for scrap metal.
"'We know that a number of Palestinians crawled towards the border fence," the Israeli spokeswoman said. 'Suspicious device'"They know that it is a dangerous area but they did not heed repeated calls to stop and they planted a suspicious device close to the fence."
"She added that the third person, who was slightly wounded, was taken to an Israeli hospital but that none of those spotted in the area were small children.
"Suleiman Abu Zeibeida, a brother of one of the boys, said they had gone to the beach to go swimming.
"An aide to Ismail Haniya, the Palestinian prime minister, said the boys were not were not involved with any armed group.
"'The children were in a Palestinian area, close to the beach and they posed no danger to anyone. They were shot and killed without mercy," Mohammed al-Madhoun said.
"'Our children are very dear to us and we urge the international community to compel the occupation to stop its crimes against children and innocent Palestinians."
"The two boys were buried later on Friday evening with hundreds of Gazans marching in the funeral procession.
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