Israel condemned as attack kills 15

ISRAEL came under international fire yesterday after nine children were killed along with a Hamas leader in a missile strike that premier Ariel Sharon boasted was "one of our biggest successes".

Even the White House, always reluctant to criticise Israeli military actions, condemned the attack as "heavy-handed".

The children were among 15 people who died when an Israeli missile flattened an apartment block in a crowded Gaza City neighbourhood.