Israelis admit Qana bombing mistake but blame Hezbollah tactics

THE Israeli military’s inquiry into the bombing of a building in the Lebanese village of Qana that killed at least 28 civilians admits a mistake, but says Hezbollah guerrillas used civilians as shields for rocket attacks.

Israeli planes attacked an apartment house in Qana early Sunday. The house collapsed, and rescue workers pulled the bodies of civilians, most women and children, out of the rubble.

An international outcry led Israel to call a halt to its air strikes in Lebanon for 48 hours and increased pressure to agree to a ceasefire in its three-week offensive against Hezbollah.