Military

DATE=7/23/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH MIDEAST (L)

NUMBER=2-292334

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush has condemned the Israeli air strike in Gaza that resulted in the deaths of a leader of the Islamic militant group Hamas and 14 other Palestinians, including nine children. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports the president says he is concerned that the Israelis hit a building knowing innocent people would likely be killed.

TEXT: White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer says the attack was a heavy-handed action that does not contribute to peace.

Mr. Fleischer says President Bush has long said the Israelis have a right to defend themselves. But he makes clear this time the president believes Israel went too far.

The White House spokesman says this was a deliberate attack on a site knowing innocent people would be hit. He says the president is a friend of Israel but feels it is important to speak out now because of the circumstances surrounding the Israeli action.

His brief comments to reporters were unusually strong, focusing on the civilian casualties. Mr. Fleischer said the president's views are being conveyed to Israeli officials through what he termed "normal channels." He did not elaborate.

The target of the attack was a Hamas leader at the top of Israel's most wanted list. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called the operation a success, though he said Israel had no intention of harming civilians in the attack.

Palestinians, however, said that by firing a powerful missile into a packed residential neighborhood in the middle of the night, the Israelis had to know civilian casualties would occur. One Palestinian official called the act "a war crime" and warned the Israelis that they are "playing with fire." (signed)

NEB/PW/MAR