Amnesty condemns possible ‘war crimes’ in Gaza conflict
Published: 05:06 PM,Jun 13,2023 | EDITED : 08:06 PM,Jun 13,2023
GAZA CITY: Amnesty International said on Tuesday that Israeli strikes on Gaza last month could amount to a “war crime”.
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 groups of “indiscriminate” rocket fire aimed at Israel that “should also be investigated”.
Amnesty said the Israeli military operations damaged 2,943 housing units, including 103 homes which were completely destroyed.
“Israel also conducted apparently disproportionate air strikes which killed and injured Palestinian civilians, including children,” the statement added, noting that “intentionally launching disproportionate attacks... is a war crime”.
Israel and fighting groups in Gaza have fought several wars since 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.
“Israel’s impunity for the war crimes it repeatedly commits against Palestinians, and for its cruel ongoing 16-year illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip, emboldens further violations and makes injustice chronic,” said Heba Morayef, Middle East and North Africa Regional Director at Amnesty International.
The Israeli army did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Amnesty’s claims.
A spokesperson for Palestinian Islamic Jihad said the group “welcomes” the report.
“We are doing our part to defend ourselves against the crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,” it added in a statement.
Some 2.3 million Palestinians live in the Gaza Strip which has been under a crippling Israeli-led blockade since Hamas rose to power.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian in a West Bank raid while four Israelis were injured in a separate shooting incident, as fresh violence hit the occupied territory on Tuesday, officials said.
The Palestinian health ministry said 19-year-old Faris Abdel Moneim Mohammed Hashash “was shot dead by the Israeli occupation forces during the aggression against Balata camp in Nablus”.
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service said it had treated five Israelis wounded by gunfire near a checkpoint close to the northern West Bank city of Jenin. It added they were hospitalised in moderate condition.
The Israeli army said it had received a report of a shooting near the town of Yabad. — AFP
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 groups of “indiscriminate” rocket fire aimed at Israel that “should also be investigated”.
Amnesty said the Israeli military operations damaged 2,943 housing units, including 103 homes which were completely destroyed.
“Israel also conducted apparently disproportionate air strikes which killed and injured Palestinian civilians, including children,” the statement added, noting that “intentionally launching disproportionate attacks... is a war crime”.
Israel and fighting groups in Gaza have fought several wars since 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.
“Israel’s impunity for the war crimes it repeatedly commits against Palestinians, and for its cruel ongoing 16-year illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip, emboldens further violations and makes injustice chronic,” said Heba Morayef, Middle East and North Africa Regional Director at Amnesty International.
The Israeli army did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Amnesty’s claims.
A spokesperson for Palestinian Islamic Jihad said the group “welcomes” the report.
“We are doing our part to defend ourselves against the crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,” it added in a statement.
Some 2.3 million Palestinians live in the Gaza Strip which has been under a crippling Israeli-led blockade since Hamas rose to power.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian in a West Bank raid while four Israelis were injured in a separate shooting incident, as fresh violence hit the occupied territory on Tuesday, officials said.
The Palestinian health ministry said 19-year-old Faris Abdel Moneim Mohammed Hashash “was shot dead by the Israeli occupation forces during the aggression against Balata camp in Nablus”.
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service said it had treated five Israelis wounded by gunfire near a checkpoint close to the northern West Bank city of Jenin. It added they were hospitalised in moderate condition.
The Israeli army said it had received a report of a shooting near the town of Yabad. — AFP