jerusalem (jps) | Why are so many children being used as potential suicide bombers by Hamas and other terrorist groups?

According to Israeli intelligence official head Brig. Gen. Yossi Kupperwasser, it’s because terrorist groups are experiencing “difficulties” in carrying out attacks. That has led them to try to look for ideas to bypass the obstacles, such as the use of children.

Hamas’ main aim is to carry out “sophisticated” attacks from the Gaza Strip, and the trend is likely to spread to other terrorist groups in the West Bank, said Kupperwasser.

The wave of protests since Israel’s killing of Hamas leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin has waned, but is not over, he warned in a meeting before the Knesset. Hamas is trying to use the killing to boost its position in the Gaza Strip and in the world. Abdel Aziz Rantisi presents himself as the leader of Hamas, but does not have the same consensus support as Yassin, he added.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the committee that the government “made a decision to pursue” terrorist leaders and “will continue” to do so. He said the international community understands that there is “no difference between military and political” operations, or between a religious or political leader.

When asked whether Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat is also a target, Sharon said he could not relate to the question in the forum.

Sharon said he asked Jordan’s King Abdullah and Egyptian Intelligence chief Omar Suleiman to take part in the training of Palestinian forces for antiterrorism operations as a means of preventing chaos after Israel’s disengagement plan is carried out.

He said Israel would continue to keep them involved in the implementation of the plan.

Kupperwasser said 17 suicide attacks initiated from the West Bank have been foiled since Jan. 16. In recent days, three attacks were prevented, including an attempt to carry out a truck bombing with a sophisticated device, he said.

Kupperwasser also warned of the “deep involvement” of Hezbollah with terrorist groups in the West Bank, which includes training and financing. It wants to be actively involved with Fatah Tanzim, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, he said.