ISRAEL/GAZA: Israeli PM Olmert expresses regret for shelling that killed 18 Palestinians in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday (November 9) expressed regret over the shelling of northern Gaza that killed 18 Palestinians, saying the incident was caused by a "technical failure." "It was a mistake. It was not a planned attack that just killed too many, it was not suppose to be on the first place, this was a technical failure of the Israeli artillery," Olmert said during an interview with Sky correspondent Adam Boulton in Tel Aviv. "We can only say we regret it, unfortunately it does happen occasionally but this was not a policy, this was not the purpose, this was not planned," Olmert added. His comments came hours after tens of thousands of Palestinians held a mass funeral in Gaza for the 18 civilians killed by Israeli artillery on the town of Beit Hanoun on Wednesday (November 8). Olmert also reiterated his call to hold an urgent summit with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. "I am ready anytime any place without preconditions, sit down and talk. And he will be surprised when he will sit with me of how far I'm prepared to go," Olmert said. Earlier in Gaza Abbas visited the ruined town of Beit Hanoun after the victims of Wednesday's shelling were laid to rest. He met with residents and visited the area that was hit.

ITN Source | November 10, 2006

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