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IDF Presents Conclusions of Inquiry into Death of Gaza Doctor's Daughters

[Ha'aretz] Amos Harel - The IDF on Wednesday presented the conclusions of an inquiry into the deaths of Gaza doctor Ezzeldin Abu Elaish's three daughters during the recent Gaza operation. The IDF explained that troops had been fired upon by snipers situated in the house adjacent to Abu Elaish's home. The troops identified suspicious figures on the upper levels of the doctor's building, and deduced that they were serving as observers, directing the sniper fire from their vantage point. Following long deliberations and assessments of the situation, the unit commander decided to fire tank shells at the building, and when the soldiers heard the screams and realized civilians had been hit, they helped evacuate them, the investigation revealed. The army argues further that the residents of the neighborhood were urged to evacuate the area prior to the attack via thousands of leaflets that were disseminated in the area, and that the doctor was personally asked by phone to evacuate his family from the neighborhood due to the fighting. The IDF spokesman's office issued a statement extending condolences over the incident, but maintained that the IDF operated within reason in light of the sniper fire directed at the troops and the heavy fighting in the region.
2009-02-05 06:00:00
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