CBNNews.com - GAZA STRIP - The UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) retracted earlier accusations that the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) shelled one of its schools in the Gaza Strip during Operation Cast Lead.

OCHA's representatives blamed a "clerical error" for their mistake.

For nearly a month, the UN vilified Israel for allegedly targeting the school on January 6, which housed some 1,300 residents.

The UN reported that 43 civilians had been killed, but IDF officials questioned the accuracy of that figure, noting that Hamas sought to hide the identity of the casualties.

"We know of at least three terrorists among the dead," one Israeli official said. "It is clear that there were more people killed, but Hamas has been covering up their identities," he said.

At the time, UN Secretary Ban ki-Moon called the attack "outrageous," demanding that it be investigated.

UNWRA spokesman Christopher Gunness said the media misquoted him as saying that the IDF targeted the school.

Source: The Jerusalem Post