GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: 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 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 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.
"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 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.
"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.
Amnesty condemns possible ‘war crimes’ in Gaza conflict
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Amnesty condemns possible ‘war crimes’ in Gaza conflict
- 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"
Israeli forces demolish Palestinian facilities in Jericho
- Israeli authorities have conducted 538 demolitions in the past 12 months, totaling 1,400 structures
- Excluding East Jerusalem, there are about 3 million Palestinians and 500,000 Israeli settlers living in the West Bank
LONDON: Israeli authorities demolished a house on Thursday in the town of Deir Al-Dik, located west of Jericho in the West Bank, and issued a demolition order for another structure east of the city.
Israeli bulldozers stormed Deir Al-Dik and demolished a house belonging to a resident of Jerusalem, claiming it was built without a permit, according to the Wafa news agency.
Forces also demolished a barracks in the city that belonged to the Abu Jarar factory and issued a demolition order for another structure related to the Sinqrat palm grove, east of Jericho.
The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission reported that the Israeli authorities conducted 538 demolitions in the past 12 months, totaling 1,400 structures. This included 304 occupied homes, 74 unoccupied homes, 270 economic facilities and 490 agricultural facilities, primarily in Hebron, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Tubas and Nablus.
Excluding East Jerusalem, which was occupied and annexed by Israel in 1967, there are about 3 million Palestinians and 500,000 Israeli settlers living in the West Bank.
