An IDF investigation of air force activities in the area of the home revealed that while an aerial assault against an armed terror cell did occur at about the same time, in the same area, the explosion that killed a small girl, her older brother and their mother was not caused by the IDF.
Nevertheless, Palestinian Authority (PA) officials are using the deaths of civilians to turn world opinion against Israel as Operation Bashan Oaks continues; a major counter-terrorism offensive in northern Gaza intended to bring a halt to Kassam rocket attacks which continue to strike deeper into southern pre-1967 Green Line Israel.
Israel explained the explosion in Shajaiyeh may have been caused by terror activities in the area, but the official results of the investigation showed without a doubt that the air force did not strike the home as is alleged by PA officials.
The PA continues to turn to the United Nations, seeking a condemnation of the ongoing Israeli operation, demanding the international community force Israel to immediately halt the operation and withdraw from Gaza.
In a related matter, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has canceled his planned visit to Israel, which was to have taken place next week. The instability in the region and the mounting tensions surrounding captive soldier Corporal Gilad Shalit are said to have prompted the senior American official’s decision.
In the meantime, there is no new information pertaining to Shalit, who fell into captivity during a multi-pronged terrorist offensive on 25 June. While military intelligence does not seem to know his exact location, it is reported that he is being held in the Khan Yunis area of southern Gaza.
Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office last week rejected any talk of a ceasefire with Hamas, with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stating that when Shalit is released, the IDF will halt the ongoing offensive in Gaza, not before.
Nevertheless, Palestinian Authority (PA) officials are using the deaths of civilians to turn world opinion against Israel as Operation Bashan Oaks continues; a major counter-terrorism offensive in northern Gaza intended to bring a halt to Kassam rocket attacks which continue to strike deeper into southern pre-1967 Green Line Israel.
Israel explained the explosion in Shajaiyeh may have been caused by terror activities in the area, but the official results of the investigation showed without a doubt that the air force did not strike the home as is alleged by PA officials.
The PA continues to turn to the United Nations, seeking a condemnation of the ongoing Israeli operation, demanding the international community force Israel to immediately halt the operation and withdraw from Gaza.
In a related matter, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has canceled his planned visit to Israel, which was to have taken place next week. The instability in the region and the mounting tensions surrounding captive soldier Corporal Gilad Shalit are said to have prompted the senior American official’s decision.
In the meantime, there is no new information pertaining to Shalit, who fell into captivity during a multi-pronged terrorist offensive on 25 June. While military intelligence does not seem to know his exact location, it is reported that he is being held in the Khan Yunis area of southern Gaza.
Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office last week rejected any talk of a ceasefire with Hamas, with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stating that when Shalit is released, the IDF will halt the ongoing offensive in Gaza, not before.