Crisis in the Lebanon


Smoke rises from the Hizbollah stronghold in southern Beirut July 25, 2006, after the renewal of Israeli air strikes. (LEBANON)

25 Jul 2006 REUTERS/Adnan Hajj

Olmert: killing UN monitors a mistake

· Olmert expresses 'regrets' to UN chief
· Ministers gather for Rome talks
· Aid agencies criticise Blair

The Israeli prime minister today told the UN secretary general that the killing of four UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon in Israeli air strikes yesterday was a mistake.

Ehud Olmert telephoned Kofi Annan to express his "deep regrets" over the deaths of the UN monitors, the Israeli prime minister's office said.

Mr Annan said last night that the air strike was "apparently deliberate" and other UN officials said the attacks on the UN bunker had continued during a rescue effort. Dan Gillerman, Israel's UN ambassador, reacted furiously to Mr Annan's comments last night, describing them as "premature and erroneous".

In a statement today, Mr Olmert's office described the deaths as "mistaken killing".

You can bet if it had been Syria who had 'accidently' killed these four unarmed UN monitors, the West would be a lot more harsh, but as its Israel, it is shrugged off. I was hearted to read that dissent is growing in Israel over their invovlement in southern Lebanon.

Via the The Arabist

Current death toll: 418 Lebanese, 42 Israelis dead. Still 10 to 1.

One starts to feel that this might be a deliberate policy by the IDF.

The news from the Lebanon and the Gaza Strip still remains grim

'Save us,' she screamed as another shell landed

Annan: Israel bombed UN base for hours

Charities and religious leaders condemn Blair

Lebanon summit fails to agree truce call

Israel to impose Lebanon no-go zone


Palestinian girls stand on the rubble of a destroyed house after it was targeted by an Israeli warplane in Gaza July 25, 2006. An Israeli air strike aimed at the home of a suspected militant in the Gaza Strip wounded seven people from surrounding houses early on Tuesday, local residents said. (PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES)

25 Jul 2006 REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

Nine killed in Israeli Gaza raid

A spot of good news - Palestinians agree deal for return of abducted soldier

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