Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
September 15, 2009
Clear evidence has been collected of serious violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip committed by both Israel and Hamas. This was reported by Richard Goldston, head of the mission investigating gross violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip during the fighting between December 2008 and January 2009.
Today, at a briefing in New York, Richard Goldston presented a report on the findings of the commission he chaired. It concluded that the actions of Israel and Palestinian groups amount to war crimes and possibly even crimes against humanity. The evidence is presented on 574 pages. It is based on interviews with 188 people, the review of 10,000 documents, and the viewing of 1,200 photographs and 30 videos.
The report states that more than 1,400 people were killed in the Gaza Strip during fighting between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas between December 27, 2008, and January 18, 2009. Its authors noted that even before the military operation began, Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza, pursuing a systematic policy of isolating the Strip, which constitutes collective punishment for all residents of the area. During Operation Cast Lead, homes, factories, schools, hospitals, police stations, and many other infrastructure facilities were destroyed in the Gaza Strip. Reconstruction work has been delayed due to the ongoing blockade, which limits the import of construction materials.
The commission members paid particular attention to the suffering of children in Gaza due to the Israeli military operation. They emphasized that children who witnessed violence and killings, who personally faced the threat of death, and who witnessed the death of loved ones will not soon be able to escape the horrors of war that haunt them. The report notes that a third of students in UNRWA schools have suffered serious psychological disorders.
The commission members said that rocket and mortar attacks on Israel by Palestinian groups also constitute serious war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity.
On September 29, the report of the Richard Goldstone Commission will be presented to the Human Rights Council.
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