21.   The bombardment was part of the largest known joint ground offensive of the war.

22.   The bombardment was the first military strike ordered by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

23.   The Israeli military said the bombardment was in retaliation for three Palestinian attacks on Sunday that left five Israeli Jews dead and dozens wounded.

24.   The NATO bombardment was a prominent theme in Ukraine as well.

25.   These bombardments are not only immoral, they are unproductive.

26.   He said the bombardment was necessary to cut the risks faced by the troops who had already suffered losses.

27.   A US military spokesman acknowledged that some civilians could have died in the raid, but insisted that the night-long bombardment had been necessary.

28.   A US military spokesman admitted that some civilians could have died in the raid, but insisted that the night-long bombardment had been necessary.

29.   Agapov said the bombardment had been clearly audible from Thursday in areas of Ingushetia bordering Chechnya, the agency reported.

30.   As each deadline passed, the Russian bombardments were redoubled, fresh troop reinforcements were sent in and the Kremlin, with new assurance, promised a quick victory.