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Annan Says Israeli Strike on Qana May Have Violated International Law

update

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan says Israel's deadly air strike on the Lebanese village of Qana may be part of a pattern of international law violations in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

Mr. Annan issued a report Monday saying the Qana attack, which killed at least 28 people, should be seen in the broader context of possible human rights law violations.

Lebanese officials initially reported that the July 30 air strike on Qana killed 56 people, but the total was revised downward after follow-up investigations.

The U.N. Security Council expressed "extreme shock and distress" at the loss of life, and instructed Mr. Annan to investigate the incident.

Israel said Hezbollah militants used civilians in Qana as human shields as they aimed rockets at Israeli communities. Lebanon says there were no militants or weapons in the destroyed building.

In his report, Mr. Annan calls for more comprehensive investigation into the Qana bombing. He also says further information should be collected about the possible human rights law violations.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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