The UN has accused the Israeli military of torturing and even using young children as human shields in armed conflicts in the region.

According to the United Nations Human Rights Committee for Children, "Palestinian children arrested by the police and the military, (Israelis) are systematically subjected to degrading treatment and torture. They are also often questioned in Hebrew, a language they do not understand, and sign confessions in Hebrew in order to be released."

The report, written by 18 experts, said that about 7,000 Palestinian children ages between 9 and 17, have been arrested, interrogated and detained. Most Palestinian children arrested are accused of throwing stones, an offense which can carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, said the committee.

The official spokesman for Israel, Yigal Palmor, responded to these accusations by saying that "If someone just wants to magnify their political arbitrariness and politically bash Israel without relying on a new report (field work), and just simply recycling old stuff, it doesn’t not matter."

These accusations are "politically motivated" added Palmor, and just played down the issue.

Jorge.Guevara@Sandiegored.com

Omar.Martinez@Sandiegored.com