The officer conducting the inquiry into the incident in Gaza Monday in which an Arab family was killed, Col. Shai, presented his interim findings Wednesday. However, he told his superiors that he has not yet reached final conclusions regarding the incident. The IDF's OC Southern Command, Yoav Galant, instructed Col. Shai to continue the investigation, which is now only expected to end at week's end.

Maj.-Gen. Galant and IAF Commander Eliezer Shkedy appointed Col. Shai Monday evening to look into the event thoroughly and determine what caused the explosion which killed the family. Col. Shai, a member of the Artillery Corps, was asked to examine videotapes of the attack and to take the testimony of Givati Brigade soldiers who were on the scene, in order to get a clear picture of what happened.

The IDF's initial findings were that an IAF aircraft fired at two terrorists who were carrying large backpacks, containing explosives. These backpacks then exploded, causing the house to collapse on its occupants.