"Hitting children to bring the fighters to their knees"

Independent

Dozens of children were feared dead today after Israeli missiles struck the southern Lebanese village of Qana, flattening houses on top of sleeping residents. Reports said that about 50 adults and children had died.

The Israeli army said missiles had been fired from the area before the 1am air strike in which a three-story building took a direct hit.

Rescuers aided by villagers were digging by hand to look for casualties.

"We want this to stop," shouted villager Mohammed Ismail. " May God have mercy on the children. They came here to escape the fighting."

"They are hitting children to bring the fighters to their knees," said the black-haired man with a gray beard, his brown pants covered in dust. Read more