Amnesty International asserted on Tuesday, that the Israeli airstrikes carried out in Gaza the previous month could potentially be classified as a “war crime.” They further emphasized the need for an investigation into Palestinian militant groups on similar grounds due to their rocket attacks.
Amnesty International said Tuesday that Israeli strikes on Gaza last month could amount to a “war crime” and said Palestinian militant groups should be investigated on the same charge for their rocket fire.
Israel and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza, including Islamic Jihad, traded heavy fire in the May 9-13 flare-up that claimed 35 lives, including civilians and combatants.
The London-based human rights group charged that Israeli strikes carried out “without military necessity” amount to “a form of collective punishment against the civilian population”.
It also accused Palestinian militant groups of “indiscriminate” rocket fire aimed at Israel that “should also be investigated as war crimes”.
Amnesty said the Israeli military operations damaged 2,943 housing units, including 103 homes which were completely destroyed.
Israel and militant groups in Gaza have fought several wars since the Islamist movement Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007.
According to the Israeli army, more than 1,230 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel from May 10-13 before a ceasefire came into effect.
The Israeli army did not immediately respond to requests from AFP for comment on Amnesty’s claims.
A spokesperson for Palestinian Islamic Jihad, considered a terrorist group by Israel, the United States and the European Union, said the group “welcomes” the report.
Some 2.3 million Palestinians live in the Gaza Strip which has been under a crippling Israeli-led blockade since Hamas rose to power.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
