Entered into the database on Tuesday, April 11th, 2006 @ 15:34:19 MST
A 12-year-old Palestinian girl...was killed Monday by Israeli shelling
in the Gaza Strip. Thirteen other members of her family, including toddlers,
children and teenagers were injured. Nonetheless, a senior Israel Defense
Forces officer Monday night told Haaretz that the widespread shelling
of Gaza would continue. Hundreds of IDF artillery shells are being fired daily, along
with air strikes, missiles and cannons from naval vessels offshore. Recently, the IDF also reduced the "safety zone" artillery
batteries must maintain around Palestinian communties. The military was
aware the decision could result in civilian casualties, as occurred Monday.
The safety zone was reduced from 300 meters to 100 meters. The shell fragmentation
range is 100 meters, so the decision clearly endangers civilian lives.
Since Friday, 17 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli shelling. The
dead include two children. The senior officer admitted the army knew the expanded operation
could cost Palestinian civilian lives. "We have no certainty
that more civilians won't be hurt in upcoming attacks," he said.
(Source) Two of those civilian casualties are shown in the picture above. And the supposed cause of these attacks? Collective punishment is, as readers undoubtedly know, a war crime. (Hat tip to the Angry
Arab for the picture). 
At least six rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel Monday.
One landed close to an IDF base at Zikim, south of Ashkelon. Some landed
in the sea. The rockets caused no injuries or damage.