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Israel admits it killed five children in Gaza strike after blaming Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Israel initially blamed Palestinian Islamic Jihad for the deaths of the children but has now admitted responsibility.
2 min read
16 August, 2022
Israel's attacks of Gaza have killed scores of children since 2014 [Getty]

Israel has admitted it killed five children in an airstrike on its final day of a , after initially blaming militants for the deaths.

A military investigation concluded that were responsible for killing five boys aged between three and 16 on 7 August at the Al-Faluja Cemetery east of Jabalya, Haaretz reported.

Israel had never commented publicly on who was responsible for the deaths in JabalyaÌýbut officers had blamed aÌýmisfired PIJ rocket,Ìýthe Israeli news said.

Israel officially held PIJ missiles responsible for Ìýin other incidents in Gaza, releasing what it said was evidence backing its claims.

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An Israeli military spokesperson's unit said it was still investigating the incident and that it "made every reasonable effort to minimise, insofar as possible, harm to civilians and civilian property".

Forty-nineÌýPalestinians, including 15 children, were killed in Israel's three-day bombardment of the densely-populated besieged enclave.

The five minors killed in the incident were Mohammad Nijm and Hamed Nijm, aged 16, Nathmi Karsh, aged 15,ÌýJamil Ihab Nijm, aged 13, andÌýJamil al-Din Nijm, aged three.

The Norwegian Refugee Council said that three of the boys had been undergoing trauma therapy prior to their deaths.

Israel killed 67 children in its brutal bombardment of Gaza in May 2021.ÌýA total of 86 children were killed by Israel in Gaza and the that year according to Defence for Children International, making 2021Ìýthe deadliest year for childrenÌýsince 2014.

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