Scene of Khan Younis attack
Photo: AP
'This can happen once in a hundred attacks.' Girl wounded in strike
Photo: AP
IAF: Technical glitch behind Khan Younis tragedy
Investigation reveals technical malfunction caused aircraft missile to stray from its course, kill innocent Palestinian brother, sister. ‘We will continue to carry out missions aimed at protecting Israel’s citizens,’ IAF officer says
An Israel Air Force investigation revealed that a technical malfunction caused an aircraft missile to stray from its course and strike a civilian home in Khan Younis.
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Fatma Ahmed, 35, and her 45-year-old brother Zakaria Ahmad were killed in the attack; eight other Palestinians, all members of the same family, were injured in the attack.
The missiles were aimed at a vehicle carrying Popular Resistance Committees terrorists.
'Aircraft will return to action'
Senior IAF officials said the chances a human error was at fault are slim, adding that a technical glitch apparently caused one of the missiles to strike the house. The cause of the malfunction is still being examined, officials said.
“This can happen once in a hundred attacks,” a senior officer explained.
The Air Force has grounded the aircraft that missed its target, as is the case in any unsuccessful operation; the aircraft itself was used in successful missions in the past, officials said.
“The aircraft will return to action with the conclusion of the investigation and after we make certain that its weapons systems are accurate,” an officer said.
“We will continue to carry out missions aimed at protecting Israel’s citizens,” the officer said. “It must be remembered that the past week has seen four successful operations as well.”
