IDF Spokesperson February 4th, 2009

Results from IDF Inquiry Regarding Incident at the Residence of Dr. Abu
El-Eish

Investigations were held on many levels in the IDF, with regards to the
incident at the residence of Dr. Az A-Din Abu El-Eish, that occurred on
Friday, January 16, 2009, in which three of the doctor's daughters were
killed. The conclusions found that two shells were fired from an IDF tank
resulting in the deaths of Dr. El-Eish's three daughters.

The investigation found that a force from the Golani Infantry Brigade
operated in the area of Sajaiya for several days, during which they were
engaged in face to face combat within short range of Hamas terrorist cells.
The forces also located tunnels used for ambushing and attacking IDF forces,
and identified homes which were booby-trapped.

On that Friday, the force came under sniper and mortar fire in an area laden
with explosives and IEDs (improvised explosive devices). The force
identified and located the source of fire from a house adjacent to that of
the doctor's, and in response, opened fire.

During the counter-fire opened by the IDF forces, suspicious figures were
identified in the upper level of Dr. Abu El-Eish's house and were thought to
be spotters who directed the Hamas sniper and mortar fire. Upon assessing
the situation in the field while under heavy fire, the commander of the
force gave the order to open fire on the suspicious figures. It is from
this fire, that the three daughters of Dr. Az A-Din Abu El-Eish were killed.

Following the opening of fire, screams were heard from the direction of the
house, and immediately the IDF force ceased all fire. Only later was it
understood that this was in fact the house of Dr. Abu El-Eish. When contact
was made with the doctor, the IDF force operated in order to allow for
ambulances to evacuate the injured via the Erez Crossing for immediate
emergency medical treatment in Israel.

The IDF Spokesperson Unit stresses that in the days leading up to the
incident, Dr. Abu El-Eish was contacted personally several times by officers
in the Coordination and Liaison Administration in order to urge the doctor
to evacuate his home, as many others already have, because of Hamas
operations and the intense fighting that was already taking place in that
area for several days.

The IDF Spokesperson Unit also emphasizes that in addition to the personal
contact made directly with Dr. El-Eish, the IDF issued warnings to the
residents of Sajaiya by dropping thousands of leaflets as well as issuing
warnings via Palestinian media outlets.

The investigation of the incident was conducted by the commanders of the
forces in the area, as well as the division commander, and was approved by
GOC Southern Command and the Head of the IDF Operations Branch (both ranking
Major Generals). The IDF is saddened by the harm caused to the Abu El-Eish
family, but at the same time states that considering the constraints of the
battle scene, the amount of threats that endangered the force, and the
intensity of fighting in the area, the forces' action and the decision to
fire towards the building were reasonable.

The investigation's results were presented yesterday to the Chief of the
General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, and received his approval.