Egypt condemns Israel for Gaza killings

CAIRO, Nov 9 (Reuters) Egypt's foreign minister today condemned Israel's killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and said the international community should be more responsible in dealing with Israel.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud al-Zahar, Ahmed Aboul Gheit called for an investigation into yesterday's killing of 18 Palestinian civilians by Israeli artillery fire, which included four women and seven children.

''There has to be an investigation into the massacre that took place yesterday in Beit Hanoun and the victims of which were civilians. The issue should not be left to the Israeli armed forces to merely say that a mistake happened,'' he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said today a technical failure by Israeli artillery was responsible for the deaths of the 18 Palestinians.

Aboul Gheit, whose country was the first Arab nation to sign a peace treaty with the Jewish state, said condemnations of Israel were necessary but insufficient.

Today, Arab foreign ministers agreed to hold an emergency meeting in the Cairo headquarters of the Arab League next week, to discuss a suitable reaction to the killings.

Reuters AB GC2232