Cries of grief and anger shook a United Nations refugee camp in Cana, Lebanon, last week. Israeli artillery shells meant for terrorists hit the camp instead, where civilians had gone for shelter from Israel's eight-day-old attack on Lebanon. The roar of explosions bounced from the nearby hills. The wail of ambulance sirens could not drown out the sounds of war.
More than 75 civilians were killed and hundreds were wounded in the attack. Israel struck to destroy nearby rockets belonging to Hizballah, a terrorist group that has fought Israel since 1982.
President Clinton called for an "immediate cease-fire." He sent Secretary of State Warren Christopher to the area to help end the attacks.
"I'm pained by every person, every woman, every child, who is being killed," said Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres. But, he added, Israel had "no choice but to defend its citizens."