Deaths of Gaza family called ‘tragic mistake’

Israel calls the killing of 8 members of the Kaware family, including 6 children, a “tragic mistake,” reports Buzzfeed.

“Warning was given, and the assessment at the time was that the house was empty. It was a tragic mistake,” says an IDF officer.

Israel says it launched an unarmed missile at the home at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday to warn the family. A family member said someone named “David” then called to tell everyone to leave the home. A minute later, at 3 p.m. a missile hit, knocking down the entire residence.

The building was the home of Hamas commander Odeh Kaware, says Israel.

Palestinian militants of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, carry the body of militant Mohammed Obied during his funeral in the town of Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip on June 30, 2014 (photo credit: Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)

An IDF officer says Israeli forces noticed four individuals who had climbed onto the roof, but it was too late to divert the missile.

AFP reports that 25 Palestinians were killed Thursday, bringing the total number of Palestinians deaths since Tuesday to 76.