A 12-year-old Palestinian girl...was killed Monday by Israeli shelling in the Gaza Strip. Thirteen other members of her family, including toddlers, children and teenagers were injured. Nonetheless, a senior Israel Defense Forces officer Monday night told Haaretz that the widespread shelling of Gaza would continue.

Hundreds of IDF artillery shells are being fired daily, along with air strikes, missiles and cannons from naval vessels offshore.

Recently, the IDF also reduced the "safety zone" artillery batteries must maintain around Palestinian communties. The military was aware the decision could result in civilian casualties, as occurred Monday. The safety zone was reduced from 300 meters to 100 meters. The shell fragmentation range is 100 meters, so the decision clearly endangers civilian lives.

Since Friday, 17 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli shelling. The dead include two children.

The senior officer admitted the army knew the expanded operation could cost Palestinian civilian lives. "We have no certainty that more civilians won't be hurt in upcoming attacks," he said. (Source)