Israeli cabinet members criticise raids on Gaza
MARGARET NEIGHBOUR
A SERIES of raids on Palestinian militants that killed ten people, many of them civilians, drew unusual criticism from within the Israeli cabinet yesterday over the armed forces' tactics.
Israeli warplanes and helicopter gunships hunting for Islamic militants struck the Gaza Strip five times on Monday. A 12-year-old boy and seven other civilians were among the dead, according to doctors. More than 100 people were wounded.
Moral questions were raised not only by opponents of the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon's right-wing government but also by his centrist coalition partners.
"The failure to differentiate between civilians and terrorists turns all the Palestinians into potential suicide bombers," infrastructure minister, Yosef Paritzky, said, urging the army to compensate any innocent victims.
The Labour Party chief and veteran peacemaker, Shimon Peres, called for a thorough investigation into the raids.
Deputy defence minister, Zeev Boim, from Mr Sharon's Likud Party, said Israel's tactics were justified because militants sheltered among the civilian population and Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority was doing nothing to stop them.
"When we Israelis hear of Palestinian civilian casualties we openly express remorse," Sharon adviser Dore Gold said. "When Hamas and Fatah strike at Israeli civilians, they celebrate with candy and fireworks."
The bloodiest strike was at Nusseirat refugee camp, where witnesses said seven civilians were killed and 70 wounded by two helicopter-fired missiles.
One hit a car and the other slammed into a crowd that gathered nearby shortly afterwards. A military spokeswoman rejected the Palestinian account, saying the army was unaware of civilian deaths in Nusseirat.
Polls show most Israelis now approve of Mr Sharon's policies, including the internationally condemned practice of tracking and killing militant leaders.
But there are growing signs of public concern. Last month, 27 veteran air force pilots refused to carry out missions against militants that could endanger civilians.
Some Israelis also worry that inflicting civilian casualties puts at risk ties with Washington.
Other commentators suggest the greatest danger is to Israel's own moral fibre.
"Where are the red lines we impose on ourselves?" asked Alex Fishman, a columnist for the daily Yedioth Ahronoth. "How long can we hurt innocent civilians?"
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