Palestinians accuse Israel of scattering poisoned sweets

Palestinian health officials have sent samples of tainted sweets to laboratories in Egypt, after Palestinian media claimed that Israel spread it in Gaza to harm children.

Israel hotly denied the claim.

Dr Mouawia Hassanein, head of the emergency room at Shifa Hospital in Gaza, said 10 people were treated for stomach pains and headaches after touching and eating sweets.

‘‘There is a strong suspicion that the candy contains radioactive materials,’’ he said.

Imad Abdel Kader, 20, a student, said a large number of bags of sweets were scattered around the town of Beit Lahiya. He said he ate some and immediately felt ill. He said he was sure the Israelis had spread the sweets.

Palestinian Health Ministry officials would not comment until the results of the laboratory tests are received on Thursday.

Palestinian newspapers, including Al-Hayyat al-Jadida, which has close ties to Yasser Arafat’s Palestinian Authority, wrote that it was an Israeli attempt to kill Palestinian children.

The Israeli military issued an angry response.

A statement condemned ‘‘the absurd claim’’ and charged that ‘‘this is a low point in the incitement in the Palestinian media, and directly contributes to drawing the Palestinian population at large into hatred and violence against Israel.’’ It said the Palestinian Authority was responsible for the reports.