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| CREDIT: dw.com Human Rights Watch has recently accused the Israeli military of carrying out attacks that "apparently amount to war crimes." This comes after an 11-day war in May which was against the Hamas militant group. These conclusions came about after an investigation of three Israeli airstrikes that killed 62 Palestinian civilians. "There were no evident military targets in the vicinity of the attacks." The report accused Palestinian militants of war crimes after over 4,000 unguided rockets and mortars were launched at Israeli population centres. These attacks "violate the prohibition against deliberate or indiscriminate attacks against civilians." A separate report will be released on the actions of the Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in August. "Israeli forces carried out attacks in Gaza in May that devastated entire families without any apparent military target nearby. Israeli's consistent unwillingness to seriously investigate alleged war crimes coupled with Palestinian rocket fire at Israeli civilian areas," emphasised the importance of the ongoing investigation into both sides, said associate crises and conflict director at HRW, Gerry Simpson. "While the terror organisations in the Gaza Strip deliberately embed their military assets in densely populated civilian areas, the IDF takes every feasible measure to minimise, as much as possible, the harm to civilians and civilian property," said a statement released by the Israeli army. The war began on May 10th after Hamas fired rockets towards Jerusalem supporting the Palestinian protests against Israeli's heavy-handing policing of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Around 254 people were killed in Gaza, including at least 67 children and 39 women. Hamas have acknowledged 80 deaths of militants, Israeli claiming a higher number. Twelve civilians, which included two children and one soldier were killed in Israel. The most serious attack involving airstrikes was on May 16th. A series of strikes on Al-Wahda Street in downtown Gaza City resulted in the death of 44 civilians, which included 18 children and 14 women. Three apartment buildings were destroyed and 22 of the deceased belonged to a single family, the al-Kawlaks. The Israeli military has said, "the attacks were aimed at tunnels used by Hamas militants in the area." The blasts led to the collapse of nearby building which resulted in "unintended casualties," An investigation by HRW noted that Israel did not warn residents to evacuate the area ahead of time. No military target were evident in the area. "An attack that is not directed a specific military objective is unlawful." The investigation focused on an explosion that took place on May 10th, killing eight people, including six children. A third attack happened on May 15th, killing 10 people, including eight children and two women. Again there was no evidence of militant target in the area. More information can be found by going to the Human Rights Watch website and further information will be presented there. |
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