WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The White House expressed "deep concern" Tuesday over reports that Palestinian civilians were killed and injured during Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.
Although Israel has a right to self-defense, the Bush administration said, "It is critical that Israeli forces make every effort to avoid harm to civilians in exercising that right."
"The president is deeply concerned by reports of Israeli military actions in Gaza that have resulted in the deaths and wounding of many Palestinian civilians," the White House statement said. "The president urges Israel to minimize the risk to civilian populations in areas in which Israeli Defense forces are operating."
Sixteen people were reported killed and dozens injured Monday when Israelis staged a five-hour, predawn raid in Khan Yunes against Islamic Hamas militants.
Israel, which blames Hamas for frequent attacks on Israel, said troops had encountered heavy gunfire, hand-grenade attacks, and anti-tank fire during the raid, and returned fire.
Most of the casualties were armed militants, it said, and it was not clear who as responsible for civilian casualties. An Israeli commander added that the militants had used civilians as human shields.
A top aide to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, in Ramallah said that the statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that the military actions into the Gaza Strip would continue "declaration of war."
"Nabil Abu Rudeineh was reacting to reporters in Ramallah to Sharon's statement saying the Israeli army military operation in the town of Khan Younis, where 16 people killed, 'was successful.'
Sharon vowed that the military operations of the Israeli army into the Gaza Strip would continue, adding that those operations are targeting Hamas militants.
"Sharon's statements to continue attacks in the Gaza Strip is a new declaration of war on the Palestinian people, the Arabs and a challenge to all international resolutions of the Security Council," said Abu Rudeineh.
