CBS: Israel Bombing Civilians; U.N. ‘Burning With Rage’

In a report on Thursday’s CBS Evening News, correspondent Richard Roth declared: "With Gaza City bombed and burning, Palestinians heeded Israel's warning to get out of the way, but found they had nowhere to go...Not the U.N. compound, where 700 people took shelter. Israeli artillery hit it, then hit it again...Israel claimed it was returning fire from militants. Burning with rage, the U.N. denies that."

Roth quoted one Israeli General: "We need to use force like Americans in Iraq. Hamas needs to be snuffed out." He went on to describe other victims of Israeli attacks: "But the attack also hit the Reuters News Agency office, threatening the small press corps in Gaza, which Israel is keeping small by keeping most foreign reporters out. Two journalists from Abu Dhabi were wounded. And at Gaza's biggest hospital, there were more small children in the stream of casualties than men of fighting age. Palestinians say the war's death toll is above 1,000 now, with at least half the casualties civilians."

Here is the full transcript of the report:

6:42PM SEGMENT:

KATIE COURIC: Turning now to the war in Gaza. Israel's foreign minister is flying to Washington tonight to talk with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about the situation there and the cease-fire plan. Meanwhile, Richard Roth reports the fighting continues.

RICHARD ROTH: With Gaza City bombed and burning, Palestinians heeded Israel's warning to get out of the way, but found they had nowhere to go. 'What's a safe place for us to go?,' the woman cried. Not the U.N. compound, where 700 people took shelter. Israeli artillery hit it, then hit it again. Three people were injured and food and other aid went up in flames. Israel claimed it was returning fire from militants. Burning with rage, the U.N. denies that.

CHRISTOPHER GUNNESS [UN RELIEF WORKER]: Let's have an investigation. Let's find out what happened. Let the facts speak for themselves.

ROTH: In the pounding of Gaza's crowded capital, Israel killed the Hamas leader in charge of security. An Israeli general said, 'we need to use force like Americans in Iraq. Hamas needs to be snuffed out.' But the attack also hit the Reuters News Agency office, threatening the small press corps in Gaza, which Israel is keeping small by keeping most foreign reporters out. Two journalists from Abu Dhabi were wounded. And at Gaza's biggest hospital, there were more small children in the stream of casualties than men of fighting age. Palestinians say the war's death toll is above 1,000 now, with at least half the casualties civilians. It could be last-minute gains Israel's after in Gaza, with the stepped up attacks on the ground, because along with all the smoke in the air, there's a feeling now this may soon be ending. Israel's leaders tonight have backed a U.S. plan designed to prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons into Gaza, including the rockets that touched off this fight, like the Hamas rocket that fell here in Israel today, injuring a seven-year-old boy. But an actual cease-fire agreement is still to be worked out and Israel's defense chief tonight warned his armed forces will fight up to the last minute. Katie.

COURIC: Richard Roth reporting from Tel Aviv for us tonight. Richard, as always, thank you so much.