|
|
| By Israel Insider staff April 28, 2008 |
|
| |
 Bookmark to del.icio.us |
| |
During an operation this morning in northern Gaza, the IDF targeted from the air two Palestinian gunmen who were approaching soldiers while carrying large bags on their backs.
The IDF claims that a preliminary inquiry suggests that after the gunmen were hit -- not simultaneously -- there was a huge explosion, indicating the presence of bombs and explosives in the gunmen's bags. As a result of this explosion, extensive damage was caused to a house near the gunmen and uninvolved civilians -- including a Palestinian mother and four children of the Abu Meatak family -- were hit and killed in addition to the two gunment.
Defense Minister Barak, and the IDF Spokesperson stressed that the sole responsibility for the injuring and killing of uninvolved civilians lies with the terrorist organization Hamas, which operates within civilian populations, using them as human shields and endangering their lives by keeping bombs and explosives near them.
Four Palestinian children and their mother were killed after the IDF targeted terrorists in the area. The IDF strike left a total of seven Palestinians dead. The house was hit while the family was at the breakfast table.
Speaking after the Beit Hanoun incident, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Hamas was wholly responsible for the deaths of Gaza civilians. "We hold Hamas responsible for anything that goes on inside Gaza and for all the strikes," he said. "Hamas, which operates from inside population concentrations and keeps explosive devices in civilian areas, is also responsible for some of the civilian casualties in these operations," he said.
Initially, the IDF reported that the air force fired on a group of armed Palestinians approaching army forces on the outskirts of Beit Hanoun. During the operation, an IDF soldier sustained light leg injuries and was taken to hospital. Troops at the scene meanwhile exchanged fire with several Palestinian gunmen.
Without contradicting the results of the initial inquiry, the IDF spokesperson announced later in the day that there would be an official follow-up investigation. After consulting with IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Eliyezer Shkedi, the GOC Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant ordered the appointment of an officer with a colonel's rank, the Artillery Commander of the Southern Command, to investigate all aspects of this incident and to present his findings within 48 hours.
The IDF Spokesperson's announcement concluded: "The State of Israel and the IDF place complete and utter responsibility on the Hamas terrorist organization for the injury and killing of uninvolved civilians. By intentionally operating from within heavily populated areas, and using them for cover, the terrorist organization exploits civilians as human shields."
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
