Hussam Abdo
Hussam Muhammad Bilal Abdo | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 24, 1990 Masahiya district, Nablus, Palestine |
| Occupation | Adolescent suicide bomber (attempted) |
| Known for | Attempted suicide bombing at Hawara Checkpoint in 2004 |
Hussam Muhammad Bilal Abdo (Arabic: حسام محمد بلال عبده; born 24 February 1990) is a Palestinian originating from the Masahiya district of Nablus. He attracted global media attention on 24 March 2004 when, as an adolescent, he attempted a suicide bombing at the Hawara Checkpoint in the West Bank, carrying approximately eight kilograms (18 pounds) of explosives strapped to his body, but the attack was unsuccessful.
The incident
At approximately 14 years old, Abdo ran toward the checkpoint soldiers while wearing an explosive vest, holding the trigger switch in his hands. The soldiers became suspicious, raised their weapons, and Abdo responded by raising his arms without detonating the device. After ordering nearby civilians to move to safety, a bomb disposal robot equipped with scissors was deployed so that Abdo could remove the explosives himself. During this time, he told the soldiers he did not wish to die. No further explosives were discovered on his person; the device was later safely detonated by authorities. The commanding officer suggested that Abdo may have attempted to activate the vest but failed.
Reports indicated that Abdo had been offered 100 New Israeli Sheqel (NIS) and promised sexual rewards with "promised virgins." Israeli security sources revealed he was socially isolated and ridiculed by peers. The Fatah-affiliated Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades from the Balata refugee camp in Nablus claimed responsibility for orchestrating the attack.
When questioned on Israeli television about his motivation, Abdo replied "because of the people" and added "they don't love me." He nodded affirmatively when asked about paradise. According to The Jerusalem Post, he stated that his handlers had told him that suicide was his sole opportunity to enjoy sex with 72 virgins in paradise.
The Age reported that after enduring prolonged bullying at school, Abdo sought solace in the concept of paradise as taught in Islamic doctrine.
Interviews
In July 2004, while detained in an Israeli prison, Abdo spoke to the BBC about how he was recruited. He recounted that a friend named Nasser requested his help in finding a "martyr bomber," to which he agreed. Subsequently, he met Wael, a 21-year-old member of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, who introduced him to another militant who fitted him with a bomb belt and took photographs. Abdo described his relationship with his handlers as 'normal,' mentioning that one was also imprisoned and considered a friend. He cited the death of his friend and a desire to escape school as reasons behind his involvement.
In the documentary The Making of a Martyr, filmed eighteen months after the failed attack, Abdo showed no remorse and appeared more integrated with fellow inmates involved in terrorism. He expressed regret over surviving and recalled his attempt with enthusiasm, stating, "When they drove me to the checkpoint, I was giggling and jumping."
Family report
Abdo's mother, Tamam, characterized him at age sixteen as "a small child who can't even look after himself," emphasizing that he never experienced a happy childhood. She suggested that if he had been older she might have supported such actions but considered it impossible for someone so young. Israeli media described Abdo as "mentally challenged," while his brother Hosni claimed he possessed the intelligence of a 12-year-old. The family condemned the Israeli Defense Forces for exposing Abdo publicly to international press coverage. His uncle Khalil declared he would kill anyone responsible for sending Abdo on this suicide mission.
Media coverage
The case of Abdo, along with the wider phenomenon of child suicide bombers in the Palestinian Territories, was examined in the acclaimed documentary The Making of A Martyr, directed by Brooke Goldstein and Alistair Leyland.
Husam also provided an interview for Pierre Rehov's film Suicide Killers, which delves into the psychological motivations behind Muslim terrorism and investigates why certain Muslim families encourage their children to become martyrs.
Tel Aviv University's clinical psychologist Shafiq Masalha revealed that 15% of Palestinian youth envision themselves as future suicide bombers. Additionally, Palestinian psychiatrist Eyad Sarraj cited a study indicating that 36% of Palestinians aged 12 and above wished to achieve a "martyr's death" in combat against Israel.
See also
Multimedia - video
- "The Making of a Martyr" on AOL , (Trailer Video)
- Making of a Martyr on 'CNN The Situation Room' (hosted on YouTube), CNN, retrieved 20.1.2008.
Other
- 'IDF apprehends 14-year-old suicide bomber' By Amos Harel and Arnon Regular, Haaretz, retrieved 20.1.2008.