Region | Lebanon
History repeats itself
In an horrific strike echoing a 1996 attack on the same area, at least 50 civilians were killed by an Israeli air strike in the Lebanese village of Qana on Sunday.
- Agencies
- Published: 00:00 July 30, 2006
Beirut: In an horrific strike echoing a 1996 attack on the same area, at least 50 civilians were killed by an Israeli air strike in the southern Lebanese village of Qana on Sunday.
The number of people who died in the attack - Israel's bloodiest since the 19-day-old war started - included 37 children.
The Israeli military says it warned Qana residents to leave before the strike and said Hizbollah bore responsibility for using the town to fire rockets at the Jewish state. "We were attacking launchers that were firing missiles," said Captain Jacob Dallal, an Israeli army spokesman.
Villagers are aiding rescuers by digging in the rubble by hand to look for casualties.
In April 1996, more than 100 civilians sheltering at UN peacekeeper base in Qana were killed by Israeli shells during Israel's "Grapes of Wrath" bombing campaign.
Since the attack Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has toughened his stance, saying he will only discuss an immediate ceasefire and not a full peace package.
Some 5,000 angry protesters gathered in Beirut shouting, "Destroy Tel Aviv, destroy Tel Aviv" and "Death to Israel, Death to America."
Cars were attacked and there was an attempt to break into the U.N. building, but political leaders called for an immediate stop to the damage.
Speaking on Al Manar television Hezbollah vowed to retaliate, saying, "The massacre at Qana will not go unanswered."
Israel destroyed a three-storey building where about 63 displaced people were sheltering in the basement.
Many of the innocent civilians were killed in their sleep.
Mohamed Samai, whose relatives were among the dead, pleaded: "Why have they attacked one-and two-year-old children and defenceless women? What have they done wrong?"
Numerous bodies were wrapped in plastic sheets, taped closed and placed under an awning. People placed flowers on the dead.
Others distraught with grief and anger searched through the rubble with the bare hands trying to reach people trapped or dead in the debris.
Reports say that children lay dead in the street.
Israel said it was unaware civilians were in the building.
Sunday's attacks on Qana and Israel's war on Lebanon seem to have brought Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Hezbollah closer as Siniora on Sunday thanked the militant group for its "sacrifices".
"We are in a strong position and I thank the Sayyed for his efforts," Siniora said.
"I also thank all those who sacrifice their lives for the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon," he added.
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