International reaction to the Israeli attack in Rafah refugee camp today has been swift. Condemnation came from the European Union, the United Nations Special Envoy in the occupied territories, Palestinians and left-wing Israeli politicians.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen, speaking on behalf of the EU Presidency said Israeli forces showed a "reckless disregard for human life."
In one of his strongest condemnations of Israel to date, Mr Cowen said: "It is clear that today's action was completely disproportionate to any threat faced by the Israeli military and that Israeli forces showed a reckless disregard for human life."
"The targeting of innocent children in a conflict of this kind must always be condemned," he said. "The killing of children does not serve any legitimate cause and degrades any purpose which it purports to advance."
The United Nations Special Human Rights Envoy for the occupied territories said: "These actions constitute ... war crimes ... They also amount to collective punishment which violates both humanitarian law and international human rights law," said South African law professor John Dugard in a statement."
Speaking this evening, the US President George Bush called for restraint: "I continue to urge restraint. It is essential that people respect innocent life in order for us to achieve peace ... We'll get clarification from the government. ... But I will continue to speak out about the need for all parties to respect innocent life in the Middle East."
Echoing the UN special human rights envoy, the Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat said :"It's a war crime ... Nothing justifies firing missiles at a peaceful demonstration. Enough deceit and lies. Why is [Israeli Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon doing all of this if he wants to leave the Gaza Strip?"
The left-wing Israeli opposition deputy Roman Bronfman said: "By failing to distinguish between demonstrators and terrorists, Israel loses legitimacy."