5-8-2009
As the US increases the pressure to get Israelis and Palestinians back to peace talks, the Obama administration has asked Israel to help improve Palestinians' quality of life.

But a former Israeli military commander has told the BBC that Palestinian youngsters are routinely ill-treated by Israeli soldiers while in custody.

Some human rights groups also support the claims, saying that, at times, brutal abuse of Palestinian children is widespread.

Israel says it has to root out teenagers who pose a terrorist threat.

Katya Adler reports from the West Bank.