IDF: Artillery misfire led to mistaken hit of Gaza church, no punishments for soldiers involved
The Holy Family Church in Gaza City was hit by a misfired artillery shell last Thursday, according to an initial probe, the IDF reported Wednesday. Three people were killed and several others were wounded in the incident.
Photos showed the church's roof was hit close to the main cross, scorching the stone facade and shattering windows.
The incident led the Catholic Church and many of Israel's Western allies to condemn the IDF for being negligent in Gaza.
The awry strike was caused by a malfunction in the munition and artillery mechanisms and not by human error, the IDF said.
The IDF statement did not say any of the soldiers would be punished, as has been the case in other instances when aid workers were mistakenly killed.
The IDF did not elaborate about what had led to the malfunction or whether similar mistakes have occurred in the past without being reported.
Lessons had been learned to adjust artillery open-fire rules when attacks are taking place within a certain proximity to sensitive sites, the IDF said.
The significance of the IDF's statement remained unclear, however, given that for the past 21 months, Israel has had to act in Gaza in close proximity to sensitive sites.
IDF sources say military firing procedures have become more aggressive in recent months
In recent months, since Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor assumed command of Southern Command, open-fire procedures have been more aggressive and shown less restraint than during the previous 18 months of the war, some IDF sources have said.
Asor denies the charges and says he fully probes all relevant incidents.
The IDF said it had allowed special visits to examine the church area to show transparency and facilitate medical care for the victims.
The IDF apologized for the mishap. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously apologized to the Catholic Church.
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