Israeli rockets on Gaza may be war crimes: UN

Agencies | Gaza

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Israel's deadly strikes on the Gaza Strip, which claimed the lives of 270 Palestinians, including 68 children, might constitute war crimes, said the UN high commissioner for human rights yesterday.

Michelle Bachelet also said Hamas had violated international humanitarian law by firing rockets into Israel.

Michelle Bachelet said most of the deaths were in Hamas-controlled Gaza, where Israel fought for 11 days.

The conflict ended with a ceasefire. Hamas rockets killed 10 Israelis and residents.

She was addressing a special session of the UN Human Rights Council, held at the request of Muslim states who have asked for a UN commission of inquiry to investigate possible crimes and to establish command responsibility.

The resolution, presented by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Palestinian delegation to the UN Human Rights Council, was to be voted on later on Thursday.

The United States did not sign up to address the talks, where it has observer status, appearing to shun the ninth session held on Gaza since 2006.

Bachelet said Israel’s strikes in Gaza, including shelling, missile strikes and attacks from the sea, caused widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and fatalities.

“Despite Israel’s claims that many of these buildings were hosting armed groups or being used for military purposes, we have not seen evidence in this regard,” Bachelet said.

“If found to be indiscriminate and disproportionate, such attacks might constitute war crimes,” she added.