Israeli army denies shooting at U.N. truck in Gaza

January 10, 2009
Reuters 
Original Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLA548612

GAZA, Jan 10 (Reuters) - The Israeli military denied on Saturday that Israeli soldiers had shot at a United Nations aid truck in a convoy headed to a Gaza crossing two days ago.

The U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) had initially accused Israeli troops on a two-week offensive against Hamas Islamists in the Gaza Strip of shooting at the U.N. convoy bringing humanitarian aid on Thursday, killing one worker.

An Israeli statement issued on Saturday said the Israeli army did not fire upon the truck, and that those wounded in the shooting were treated at an Israeli hospital.

Christopher Gunness, a spokesman for UNRWA, said the agency had not accused Israel of deliberately targeting its personnel.

Gunness said the U.N. had based its account on reports from truck drivers at the scene, who saw an Israeli tank nearby and were in no doubt they had been fired upon. 

He urged Israel to release any photographs of the scene to find out what happened.

An Israeli military source said Israel suspected Hamas was behind that shooting.