War Crimes in Gaza
A UN fact-finding investigation has revealed another Israeli crime against humanity in its three-week war against the Gaza Strip last year. In its report released on Tuesday, the UN said Israel violated international humanitarian law and used disproportionate force during its war on Gaza eight months ago, AFP reported. The investigation led by former South African judge Richard Goldstone concluded that "Israel committed actions amounting to war crimes, possibly crimes against humanity." "There were numerous instances of deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian objects in violation of the fundamental international humanitarian law principle of distinction, resulting in deaths and serious injuries," the report said. It said there was "strong evidence that Israeli forces committed grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention in Gaza, including willful killing, torture or inhumane treatment, willfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health, or extensive destruction of property." "The Israeli operations were carefully planned in all their phases as a deliberately disproportionate attack designed to punish, humiliate and terrorize a civilian population," it added. In its offensive on the Gaza Strip in December 2008, Israeli forces killed some 1,400 Palestinians, including more than 900 civilians, according to Gaza health officials and human rights groups. (Reference for text: Press TV. Photo: Via Google/file)
