U.S. Watches Israel's Use of Weapons

AP ^

[RCW2001]

U.S. Watches Israel's Use of Weapons

Thu Jul 25,11:15 AM ET

By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department says it has not found Israel to be misusing American-made weapons but will monitor targeted killing of terrorists and other actions that endanger civilians.

AP Photo

On Tuesday, Israel used an American-made F-16 jet fighter to bomb the home in Gaza City of Salah Shehadeh, a founder of the military wing of Hamas, a Palestinian group that has killed scores of Israelis with suicide bombings.

Shehadeh and 15 other people were killed when the bomb leveled three houses in the crowded neighborhood. The State Department immediately criticized Israel's targeting tactic and deplored the loss of civilian lives.

The international outcry was far stronger, with critics accusing the United States of complicity since the F-16 was American-made.

On Wednesday, the State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said there was no basis for reporting to Congress that an American weapon had been used illegally. Weapons may be used only for self-defense.

But, he said, "we've made quite clear that we're seriously concerned about some of the Israeli tactics, some of the Israeli actions, including targeted killings and actions like this that endanger civilians."

He said "we continue to watch and monitor Israel's actions ve carefully, and we urge Israel to consider consequences of actions such as these."

By consequences, Boucher apparently referred to a negative impact on prospects for peacemaking.

Meanwhile, Americans living in Israel were advised "to exercise a high degree of caution." The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv said a threat by Hamas to avenge Shehadeh's execution was considered credible.

A message from the embassy to Americans in Israel suggested care in patronizing restaurants, cafes, malls and theaters, especially during peak hours of business. Americans also were urged to vary their travel patterns.

[Delbert]

We need to be watching how Israel uses weapons, maybe we could learn a thing or two!

[sheik yerbouty]

We in the U.S. should endeavor to be as accurate with them.

[Pearls Before Swine]

We in the U.S. should endeavor to be as accurate with them.

Exactly. I think it was a pretty good trick for the Israelis to get their man inside of a whole apartment building.

[Brusensky]

No pity for the animals: if you cannot use a bomb, use a bigger bomb. Bulls eye!!!

[Jeremiah Jr]

U.S. Watches Israel's Use of Weapons

Watch and learn!

[rellimpank]

--their turnaround on maintenance is so good they can fly five times the sorties per plane than the USAF--or so I read--we should really be watching how it's done--

[meenie]

How can the Israelis compete with the US when we have shown the ability to take out wedding celebrations and friendly forces on night training exercises? Taking out an apartment complex just doesn't cut it like hitting a Red Cross food distribution warehouse twice on succeeding nights.

[Hila]

Will the USA also monitor target killings of Israeli civilians, that endanger Israeli civilians? The nations that find condemnation in Israeli's defense must now discern right from wrong and be outraged at the actions of the pali killers. Their agenda against civilians is the one that will be judged.