I wish the media could find a gradation between “bungled” and “successful”. It is highly unlikely that Linda Norgrove, the British aid worker taken hostage in Afghanistan, was killed in a “bungled” rescue attempt, as so many of Tuesday’s papers were reporting. Hostage rescues are highly risky enterprises, taking place at close quarters in settings where the captors have the upper hand from the outset. It was a dreadful and tragic accident, a consequence of a carefully considered political decision that the rescue should be attempted. Israel will remain forever renowned for the success and amazing skill and courage of the Entebbe hostage rescue. But she, too, has moumted rescue operations - Maalot, the Savoy Hotel (Tel Aviv) come to mind - in which there have been tragic losses of life, including civilians caught in crossfire. Brave men attempred to rescue Ms Norgrove. They failed. On occasion that will happen.