Israel kill three civilians in air strike error

[Collo]

Israel kill three civilians in air strike error
Article from: Agence France-Presse

By Sakher Abu El Oun in the Gaza Strip

January 17, 2008 12:26am

AN Israeli air strike killed three civilians including a teenager in the Gaza Strip a day after the deadliest day of violence in the territory in more than a year.

The victims - a 13-year-old boy, his father and uncle - were killed when a missile slammed into their car as it drove through Gaza City.

The Israeli army said it had mistakenly killed civilians while targeting militants.

"The Israeli army has recognised that during an operation against terrorists in the Gaza Strip a vehicle that was close to the target was hit in error," an army spokeswoman said. "An investigation has been opened."

Israeli-Palestinian fighting has escalated since the two sides revived peace talks in November, overshadowing US President George W. Bush's prediction of a deal by the time he leaves office in January 2009.

Yesterday's Gaza strike followed the killing of a top commander of the radical Islamic Jihad in the occupied West Bank and the death of 19 Palestinians in Israeli raids on Gaza on Tuesday.

Another three people were seriously wounded in the Gaza City strike, while another four Palestinians were wounded in two Israeli raids in the north of the impoverished territory.

Islamic Jihad said that the deadly strike had targeted but missed a group of its fighters.

Amid the flare-up of violence, a key Israeli minister quit Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's cabinet in protest at the peace talks with the Palestinians, rattling the governing coalition.

[sniper]

Shi$ happens, even the other side admitted it only just missed their fighters, this is what happens when civies drive around in a free fire zone

[Silver Bullet]

While I always feel bad for civilian casualties, the Israeli army, always tries to avoid civilian casualties, while the Palestinian militants aim with the purpose of hitting civilians!