BOY OF 8 SHOT IN 'WAR CRIME'

Israeli troops accused as lad killed by bullet to back of head

- MATTHEW YOUNG

ISRAELI soldiers have been accused of a possible war crime after an eight-year-old boy was shot dead as he tried to flee.

The child, known as Adam, was hit in the back of the head.

His friend Basil, 15, was also shot and died from chest wounds.

BBC analysis of phone and CCTV footage prompted UN special rapporteur on human rights Ben Saul to say that Adam's death appears to be a war crime.

Israel said the deaths were under review but "live fire was used only to remove immediate threats after exhausting other options".

It claims the boys had been about to hurl explosives at their forces, putting them in immediate danger.