BRUSSELS, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Israel drew fire from the European Union on Wednesday for the deaths of 18 civilians in its shelling of a northern Gaza town, with the EU's external relations chief saying the attack was "profoundly shocking".

"The killing this morning of so many civilians in Gaza, including many children, is a profoundly shocking event. Israel has a right to defend itself, but not at the price of the lives of the innocent," Benita Ferrero-Waldner said in a statement.

The strike on the town of Beit Hanoun was the deadliest in four years. A military spokeswoman said Israeli forces had fired shells at north Gaza in response to rockets being launched at Israel.

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