IAF Pilot calls off strike on Gaza target after spotting children nearby
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4542857,00.html
Source: ynetnews
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit often releases videos documenting aerial strikes carried out by the Israeli Air Force that culminate in a powerful blast, but a recent video distributed by the army shows a different resolution: an IAF pilot that was sent on Thursday to attack a terrorist target in the Gaza Strip called off the operation after spotting children approaching the target. “There are people close to our target,” the pilot is heard saying on the radio. “It looks like there are people, possibly children, in our targeted area.”
A military official is then heard responding: “We are not going to strike this target now, let’s move on.” A similar incident was reported by foreign media outlets a week earlier, when the IDF called off an attack after citizens climbed onto the roof of a targeted apartment, acting as human shields.
At the same time, the IDF is taking extensive steps to reduce civilian casualties, including the "Knock on the roof” procedure, in which forces fire a small mortar at the target to indicate the imminent attack, and distribute leaflets (dropped from planes) regarding the attack. On Saturday, the army warned Palestinian residents of the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate the area at noon Sunday ahead of planned military operations in the area, and according to a spokesperson for UNRWA in Gaza, some 4,000 Palestinians had evacuated their homes and headed for UN facilities and shelters in the Gaza Strip.
However, Hamas, that seeks to continue to use civilians as human shields, called on residents of the northern Strip to "immediately return" to their home. "You must follow the directives of the Interior Ministry. This is psychological warfare, random messages to instill panic in people," the ministry statement said.
So it would seem that Israel does try to minimize civilian casualties while the terrorist org., Hamas, attempts to maximize them.
Face the facts, Hamas has no regard for the Palestinian people, including the children, they want more casualties to embarrass Israel.
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