Caught On Tape

TEL AVIV, Israel: An eight-minute video shot by a U.N. officer shows an Israeli drone aircraft hovering over a U.N. compound when Israeli forces shelled the area April 18. The video is especially embarrassing for Israel, which had denied that the remotely piloted aircraft was in the area. After being confronted with evidence to the contrary, an army spokesman said the plane was on another mission, but Beirut bureau chief Lara Marlowe reports that U.N. officials are skeptical of Israel's explanation. "They say it is absurd that a drone would be there not looking at the area they were shelling. The claims don't stand up." The army also said the camp was hit only by one or two errant rounds. A preliminary U.N. report however, shows that 15 shells hit the peacekeepers camp. U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali had asked Israel for a "clarification" on the more damning aspects of the U.N. report, which is expected to be made public on Tuesday. Israel blames the bombing on a mapping mistake that miscalculated the location of the U.N. compound. An army spokesman said overcast skies prevented the gunners from seeing their target, but Marlowe says the video shows clear visibility over Qana. Despite a push from Boutros- Ghali for a resolution condemning Israel for the attack, the U.S. has so far prevented a condemnation, arguing that assessing blame could hinder efforts at reaching a cease-fire. "It remains to be seen to what extent the Americans can deter or sidetrack the condemnation of Israel," Marlowe says. "In Europe and the Arab world, feelings are running pretty high right now."