1 hour, 42 minutes ago

Add Politics to My Yahoo!

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States asked Israel to respect the dignity of Palestinian civilians and consider the consequences of its actions after 11 Palestinians were killed in Israeli operations in Gaza on Monday.

Reuters Photo

The State Department also said it was looking forward to the results of an Israeli investigation into the death of U.S. citizen Rachel Corrie, 23, who was killed by an Israeli bulldozer demolishing a Palestinian's house on Sunday.

"We urge the Israelis to consider the consequences of their actions and respect the dignity of Palestinian civilians, the vast majority of whom are not involved in terrorist violence," State Department spokeswoman Jo-Anne Prokopowicz said.

The 11 Palestinians, including a 4-year-old girl, were killed during Israeli swoops in the Gaza Strip (news - web sites).

Israeli military sources said the aim of the Gaza operation, one of dozens the army has launched in the strip since the start of a Palestinian uprising for statehood in September 2000, was to detain militants behind attacks on Israelis.

Prokopowicz said of Corrie: "The United States deeply regrets this tragic death. ... We've called upon the government of Israel and the Israel Defense Force to conduct an immediate and full investigation into the circumstances of this death.

"We understand that the Israelis have announced that they have begun an investigation. We look forward to learning the results. We call again on the Israel Defense Force to take all possible measures to avoid harm to civilians."

Corrie belonged to the Palestinian-led International Solidarity Movement whose declared mission is to end the Israeli occupation through nonviolent means.

The Israeli army said Corrie, from Olympia, Washington, and other protesters had been acting irresponsibly by placing themselves in a combat zone. It said visibility in the bulldozer was limited and its operator had not seen her.

The International Solidarity Movement said: "When the bulldozer refused to stop or turn aside, (Corrie) climbed up onto the mound of dirt and rubble being gathered in front of it, wearing a fluorescent jacket, to look directly at the driver who kept on advancing.

"The bulldozer continued to advance so that she was pulled under the pile of dirt and rubble."

Email Story   Post/Read Msgs (17)   Print Story Ratings: Would you recommend this story? Not at all 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 Highly