HRW: “Israelis” Shot Gaza Civilians Waving White Flags
Source: almanar.com.lb, 13-08-2009
Human Rights Watch said on Thursday that the "Israeli" occupation soldiers unlawfully shot and killed 11 Palestinian civilians, including four children, who were in groups waving white flags during the Gaza war.
"The "Israeli" military should conduct thorough, credible investigations into these deaths to tackle the prevailing culture of impunity," the New York-based organization said in a 63-page report.
It said the 11 people were only small fraction of the total number of civilians and combatants killed in the December-January "Israeli" offensive in the Gaza Strip. Over 1400 Palestinians were killed in the aggression, including 420 children and more than 5300 others were injured.
"However, these deaths stand out because the civilians were in groups waving a white cloth, T-shirt or scarf, and no Palestinian fighters were in the area at the time," HRW said.
"Under the laws of war, individuals who carry out or order deliberate attacks on civilians are responsible for war crimes."
In one of the cases mentioned, two women and three children were standing in front of their home after an occupation soldier ordered them outside. At least three of them were holding pieces of white cloth when the soldier opened fire, killing two girls aged two and seven and wounding the third girl and their grandmother.
"We spent seven to nine minutes waving the flags, and our faces were looking at them," the grandmother, who was shot twice, was quoted as saying. "And suddenly they opened fire and the girls fell to the ground."
In five of the seven incidents detailed in the report, "Israeli" occupation soldiers shot at civilians who were walking down the street with white flags, trying to leave areas of fighting.
The military said last month it was investigating incidents in which soldiers allegedly killed civilians holding white flags, but HRW charged: ""Israel's" poor record on investigations makes objective probes unlikely.
"Field investigations typically consist of asking soldiers to question other soldiers, without seeking or considering testimony from external witnesses, and taking exculpatory claims of soldiers at face value," the group said of "Israeli" military investigations.
The "Israeli" military is conducting 15 criminal probes into troop conduct during the three-week offensive, including allegations that children were used as human shields.
"Israel" has claimed that so far evidence shows troops "pursued legitimate objectives with appropriate precautions," while the Palestinian Hamas group ruling Gaza committed "grave violations of international law."
Human Rights Watch said on Thursday that the "Israeli" occupation soldiers unlawfully shot and killed 11 Palestinian civilians, including four children, who were in groups waving white flags during the Gaza war.
"The "Israeli" military should conduct thorough, credible investigations into these deaths to tackle the prevailing culture of impunity," the New York-based organization said in a 63-page report.
It said the 11 people were only small fraction of the total number of civilians and combatants killed in the December-January "Israeli" offensive in the Gaza Strip. Over 1400 Palestinians were killed in the aggression, including 420 children and more than 5300 others were injured.
"However, these deaths stand out because the civilians were in groups waving a white cloth, T-shirt or scarf, and no Palestinian fighters were in the area at the time," HRW said.
"Under the laws of war, individuals who carry out or order deliberate attacks on civilians are responsible for war crimes."
In one of the cases mentioned, two women and three children were standing in front of their home after an occupation soldier ordered them outside. At least three of them were holding pieces of white cloth when the soldier opened fire, killing two girls aged two and seven and wounding the third girl and their grandmother.
"We spent seven to nine minutes waving the flags, and our faces were looking at them," the grandmother, who was shot twice, was quoted as saying. "And suddenly they opened fire and the girls fell to the ground."
In five of the seven incidents detailed in the report, "Israeli" occupation soldiers shot at civilians who were walking down the street with white flags, trying to leave areas of fighting.
The military said last month it was investigating incidents in which soldiers allegedly killed civilians holding white flags, but HRW charged: ""Israel's" poor record on investigations makes objective probes unlikely.
"Field investigations typically consist of asking soldiers to question other soldiers, without seeking or considering testimony from external witnesses, and taking exculpatory claims of soldiers at face value," the group said of "Israeli" military investigations.
The "Israeli" military is conducting 15 criminal probes into troop conduct during the three-week offensive, including allegations that children were used as human shields.
"Israel" has claimed that so far evidence shows troops "pursued legitimate objectives with appropriate precautions," while the Palestinian Hamas group ruling Gaza committed "grave violations of international law."
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