12 killed by IDF artillery fire

[Scurrilous]

Palestinian sources report 12 Palestinians, including children, killed by artillery shells fired by navy off Gaza coast; Earlier, IAF fires missile at car carrying Qassam cell, killing 3 PRC members

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3260826,00.html

<snip>

"Twelve Palestinian civilians were killed and dozens were injured when artillery shells fired by the Israel Defense Forces exploded on a beach north of the Gaza Strip on Friday, eyewitnesses said."

<snip>

"Among the victims are two women, one of whom lost her two children, a year-old toddler and his three-year-old sister. Dozens others were injured in the attack, which occurred on busy Gaza beach near Beit Lahiya.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of General Staff Lit.-Gen. Dan Halutz ordered the halt of all artillery fire until the circumstances of the deadly incident become clear."

[Poll_Blind]

1. War crimes. Crimes against humanity. Same as a suicide bombing.

Same as a suicide bombing on a bus that kills a few soldiers but also kills many civilians.

PB

[cali]

3. Absolutely.

There is no excuse for this. It's every bit as much of a crime as a suicide bomber on a bus, and perhaps worse as it has the full force of the state behind it.

[46and2]

4. Hmmm, where is all of this outrage

when time after time Israelis are massacred and slaughtered. They fight back and the anti-semites and self hating Jews come out of the woodwork to condemn Israel. I like to think this board is made up of intelligent progressive thinking people but when it comes to Israel that all goes out the window. Yea, what Israel does to defend themselves from an enemy that has sworn to accept nothing short of their destruction is worse (that's sarcasm in case you haven't had your morning latte yet).

[idontwantaname]

5. israelis attack and the palestinians fight back.

365 days of the year israelis are invading palestinian villages to assassinate palestinians. though its not always reported, it still happens... dont forget it.

[46and2]

6. You say it...

so, it MUST be true. I stand corrected. Reality on the other hand dictates that the Israelis are under a microscope and must try and justify their every attempt to defend themselves rather than doing whatever necessary to ensure the safety of their people. The Palestinians can stop ALL of the violence anytime they want. We all know it.

[papau]

8. A more complete report below

http://www.haaretz.com/

IDF apologizes, suspends shelling and orders probe
Many victims said to be children; three militants killed in IAF strike in Gaza; 14 Palestinians killed in past 24 hours; Abbbas slams 'bloody massacre.

===================================================

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/724811.html

7 Palestinians killed when IDF shell hits Gaza beach

By Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondents, Haaretz Service and Agencies

At least seven Palestinian civilians were killed Friday evening, when Israel Navy gunboats firing artillery shells hit a beach in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said. Some 40 others were wounded.

Among the dead were three children, three women and one man. Many of those wounded in the attack were also children, Palestinian sources said.

The Israel Defense Forces apologized for the incident, saying it "regretted the strike on innocents."

However, IDF sources said that a preliminary investigation showed there had been no shelling from land or sea. IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz ordered an end to the shelling until the completion of an investigation into the civilian deaths. The military also offered assistance in the wake of the strike.

Major General Yoav Galant, head of Israel's southern command, said on Friday evening that the army is looking into the circumstances of the explosion. One possibility under examination is that an IDF shell strayed from its path, or that a work accident caused the explosion.

"It is not our intention to harm innocent civilians. We are investigating the incident in order to try to clarify what happened here," he said, adding that the IDF is aware of areas in which civilians are present, and that military gunners are ordered to prevent firing on these areas.

Defense Minister Amir Peretz also expressed his regret over the harming of innocent civilians, and promised to investigate the incident.

"We don't seek to fight against the Palestinian people, only against terror," Peretz said.<snip>

[Scurrilous]

11. Ynet has updated their article to reflect change in number killed:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3260826,00.html

[idontwantaname]

10. if thats how you want to act...

however im glad you understand the dynamics of military occupation (iraq, palestine)

glad to know youd stand in the street peacefully while family and friends die around you.

[Poll_Blind]

9. Self-Delete

PB

[46and2]

12. You're right

I was a little ticked off when I started to read some of this and let that get the better of me. But you cannot argue that the "Outrage" comes out when the Israelis fight back. When there is an attack on Israel, people like to express concern but don't really take it to the level of outrage...

[cali]

13. My outrage is no less when

Israelis are slaughtered by a suicide bomber. I've expressed as much in this forum. But let's face it, far more Palestinians are dying and being injured than Israelis. And although I unequivocally support Israel's right to exist, I don't support the occupation.

[Violet_Crumble]

14. And how exactly is bombing a beach full of civilians defending Israel??

How can you even describe this as fighting back and claim that the only people who are appalled by it are Antisemites and self hating Jews?

[TomClash]

16. Fight back?

There was a truce with Hamas. How is shelling civilians on a beach "fighting back?"

What's "progressive" about supporting the Occupation and the Israeli theft of Palestinian land in the settlements and the suburbs of what remains of Arab East Jerusalem?

[idontwantaname]

2. surprised?

what did they think would happen after months of lobbing thousands of artillery shells.

[papau]

7. IDF suspends shelling of PA shelling Israel

http://www.haaretz.com/

IDF apologizes, suspends shelling and orders probe
Many victims said to be children; three militants killed in IAF strike in Gaza; 14 Palestinians killed in past 24 hours; Abbbas slams 'bloody massacre.

===================================================

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/724811.html

7 Palestinians killed when IDF shell hits Gaza beach

By Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondents, Haaretz Service and Agencies

At least seven Palestinian civilians were killed Friday evening, when Israel Navy gunboats firing artillery shells hit a beach in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said. Some 40 others were wounded.

Among the dead were three children, three women and one man. Many of those wounded in the attack were also children, Palestinian sources said.

The Israel Defense Forces apologized for the incident, saying it "regretted the strike on innocents."

However, IDF sources said that a preliminary investigation showed there had been no shelling from land or sea. IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz ordered an end to the shelling until the completion of an investigation into the civilian deaths. The military also offered assistance in the wake of the strike.

Major General Yoav Galant, head of Israel's southern command, said on Friday evening that the army is looking into the circumstances of the explosion. One possibility under examination is that an IDF shell strayed from its path, or that a work accident caused the explosion.

"It is not our intention to harm innocent civilians. We are investigating the incident in order to try to clarify what happened here," he said, adding that the IDF is aware of areas in which civilians are present, and that military gunners are ordered to prevent firing on these areas.

Defense Minister Amir Peretz also expressed his regret over the harming of innocent civilians, and promised to investigate the incident.

"We don't seek to fight against the Palestinian people, only against terror," Peretz said.<snip>

[Violet_Crumble]

15. Check out the talkback on that article...

Nothing like a bit of cheering at the deaths of innocent civilians to start my morning :(