I am repulsed by the letter Rock-throwing children are not innocent either (Jan 21). The writer is suggesting that Israeli soldiers are entitled to kill children who throw stones at them. Just how much damage can teenage children throwing stones at fully equipped soldiers do?

Soldiers who wear bullet-proof helmets, body armour and ride around in tanks are barely threatened by stone-throwing teenagers. In fact, to date, not a single Israeli soldier has been killed by stones. So, how does the justification arise to shoot at children, some as young as 10 years old, with live ammunition?

I agree that the Sept 11 attacks is a tragedy for everyone, regardless of religion. But, it is also important for the world to recognise the bombing by US on Afghanistan is a human tragedy as well. In its desire to minimise its own casualties, US bombers drop bombs from high up above the clouds.

The bombs have fallen on non-military targets such as hospitals, mosques, schools and civilian homes. The tribal leaders in Afghanistan have protested that entire villages have been wiped out. Even the international media acknowledged that many men, women and children were innocent victims of the war.