What A Difference A Headline Makes

Here's the headline of a story reported by Isabel Kershner of the New York Times on their site today (yes, I know that she isn't responsible for headlines), followed by the body of the story:-


The Headline

Gaza: Israeli Troops Kill 2 in Raid
Published: August 2, 2007

The body

Israeli forces killed two armed Palestinians and wounded several others during an army incursion into northern Gaza. The dead men belonged to the military wings of Hamas and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, according to statements from the groups.

You noticed the difference, yes?

Why couldn't the headline editor (yes, they have story editors, foreign desk editors, photo editors and headline editors) compose this text, for example:

Two terrorists killed by Israeli troops