MID: Israel says militants opened fire from UN compound
16 Jan 2009 1:27 AM
JERUSALEM, Jan 15 AP - A senior Israeli military officer says Israeli troops shelled the UN headquarters in Gaza after coming under fire from Palestinian militants.
Thursday's Israeli artillery attack set the compound on fire, destroyed tonnes of food and humanitarian supplies and forced hundreds of refugees to flee.
Israel says it does not target UN buildings or personnel. But the officer says troops opened fire after militants inside the compound shot anti-tank weapons and machine guns. Throughout its 20-day offensive in Gaza, Israel has accused Hamas militants of hiding in civilian areas to stage attacks.
The officer spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal army announcement. That is expected later Thursday.
UN official John Ging, who was in the compound at the time, called the Israeli account "nonsense".
