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Source: http://www.idf.il/english/announcements/2002/october/1.stm#1
Response to Amnesty International's Report on Children in the Line of Fire
(Israel Defense Forces) - For the past two years, the IDF has been engaged in difficult and intensive fighting against Palestinian terrorist factions that have perpetrated over 14,500 terror attacks, claiming the lives of 624 Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. All IDF operations adhere to international humanitarian law, in strict compliance with the highest moral and legal standards. In glaring contrast, Palestinian terrorist factions defy all norms, be they moral or legal, deliberately attacking civilians only because they are Israeli. Amnesty International has labeled the Palestinian suicide attacks as crimes against humanity. During the fighting against Palestinian terrorist groups, in no cases are injuries to civilians intentional. Those hurt were either individuals involved in Palestinian terrorist activity, or civilians who were unintentionally hurt when they entered a live-fire zone. The Palestinian terrorists are solely and unequivocally responsible for the injuries caused to Palestinian children. Palestinian terrorist factions have cynically exploited children in terrorist activity, in violation of international law. The IDF is dedicated to upholding the "purity of arms" and preserving human dignity, and regrets any injuries children sustain. However, the cynical use of Palestinian children by Palestinian terrorist factions constitutes the main cause of their injuries.