Sir, The tragic deaths of the seven members of the Ghaliya family who were killed by an explosion on a Gaza beach on June 9, 2006 have prompted international criticism of Israel. After launching a thorough investigation of the incident, the Israel Defense Forces has concluded that Israeli fire was not responsible for the explosion. Our decision to investigate allegations that Israeli fire caused the deaths of civilians was taken, first and foremost, because Israel is accountable to itself.

We stand by the results of the inquiry and reject suggestions that it was flawed. The investigation committee carried out an extensive review of all Israeli fire — from the land, sea and air — and, based on our tracking of where the shells landed and a variety of other substantive data, we can unequivocally rule out the possibility that an Israeli shell fired on that day could have caused the deaths. Furthermore, a scientific examination of shrapnel removed from two of the victims of the explosion revealed that it did not come from the type of shell used in IDF artillery fire in the Gaza Strip.

But the June 9 Gaza beach explosion must be understood in the greater context of the ongoing battle in the northern Gaza Strip, which terrorist groups have turned into one large launching ground for Qassam rockets. Despite the fact that there are still some unanswered questions surrounding the ordnance that may have caused the incident, one thing is clear: Israel would not be conducting any military operations in Gaza were it not under daily rocket attacks.

Nearly 600 rockets have been fired at Israel since our withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September 2005, when full control over this territory was transferred to the Palestinian Authority.

Under the nearly impossible circumstances in which we operate, the IDF has been acting according to the highest moral code, making every possible effort to minimise civilian casualties. And we will continue to do so, as we exercise our right and obligation to defend Israeli citizens from brutal terror attacks.

BRIGADIER GENERAL MIRI REGEV
Israel Defence Forces
Spokesperson

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