Updated on Sunday, January 11, 2009, 00:00 IST

Jerusalem, Jan 11: According to Israeli defence officials, an investigation by the military has concluded that an errant Israeli mortar shell was behind a deadly strike near a UN school in Gaza last week.

Gaza health officials said at the time that 39 people were killed in Tuesday's strike. Israel said that its forces were returning fire toward Hamas militants operating near the school.

The Israeli investigation concludes that troops fired three mortar shells at Hamas militants who had just launched a rocket.

Two shells hit the target. One missed by about 30 yards, causing the civilian casualties. The Israeli military believes that the number of casualties was inflated by Hamas.

The defence officials spoke on Sunday on condition of anonymity because the investigation has not been made public.

Bureau Report