The Israel Air Force had admitted its mistake saying the killing of eight noncombatants during an airstrike in the Gaza Strip city of Khan Yunis was in error.
According to online news portal Haaretz, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also put the blame of the Kaware family, all of whom were killed in the airstrike, saying they had not adhered to instructions given by the IDF.
According to preliminary investigations conducted by the IDF, the family returned prematurely to the home after being warned that it would be targeted.
“According to the Israel Air Force (IAF), the deaths were not intentional,” Haaretz reported citing the preliminary investigation report which was released on Wednesday.
The report also claimed that the residence of Odeh Kaware, Hamas’ Khan Yunis company commander, had served as the movement’s headquarters.
Israeli security forces were said to have informed the family members by phone that the house was going to be bombed and they had left.
The IAF then launched what it calls ‘the knock on the roof’ meant to tear down the roof before launching a second attack meant to destroy the home.
The family members were said to have returned to the house just as the second and larger missile was fired.
“There was nothing to be done. The munition was in the air and could not be diverted,” a senior air force officer said as quoted by Haaretz.
However according to Palestinian sources, eight people were killed and 25 others were injured in the attack.
A high-ranking IDF officer said the defense establishment would continue to bomb the homes of senior Hamas leaders, claiming that residents often tried to prevent the attacks by acting as human shields.
According to online news portal Haaretz, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also put the blame of the Kaware family, all of whom were killed in the airstrike, saying they had not adhered to instructions given by the IDF.
According to preliminary investigations conducted by the IDF, the family returned prematurely to the home after being warned that it would be targeted.
“According to the Israel Air Force (IAF), the deaths were not intentional,” Haaretz reported citing the preliminary investigation report which was released on Wednesday.
The report also claimed that the residence of Odeh Kaware, Hamas’ Khan Yunis company commander, had served as the movement’s headquarters.
Israeli security forces were said to have informed the family members by phone that the house was going to be bombed and they had left.
The IAF then launched what it calls ‘the knock on the roof’ meant to tear down the roof before launching a second attack meant to destroy the home.
The family members were said to have returned to the house just as the second and larger missile was fired.
“There was nothing to be done. The munition was in the air and could not be diverted,” a senior air force officer said as quoted by Haaretz.
However according to Palestinian sources, eight people were killed and 25 others were injured in the attack.
A high-ranking IDF officer said the defense establishment would continue to bomb the homes of senior Hamas leaders, claiming that residents often tried to prevent the attacks by acting as human shields.
