Statement by Israeli Human Rights organizations in response to IDF exonerating itself
The IDF investigated itself and ‘determined that no Gaza civilians were purposefully harmed by IDF troops during Operation Cast Lead.’
A statement was issued in reponse by Israeli Human Rights organizations: B’Tselem, Physicians for Human Rights, Gisha, Adalah, The Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Yesh Din, Hamoked, The Public Committee Against Torture, Bimkom, Rabbis for Human Rights:
“Results of Israeli military investigations published today of alleged violations in Gaza are very problematic – the only way to truly investigate is through an external mechanism.
“Military investigation results published today refer to tens of innocent Palestinian Civilians killed by “rare mishaps” in Gaza during “Operation Cast Lead”. However, data collected by Israeli human rights organization shows that many civilians were killed in Gaza not due to “mishaps” but as a direct result of the Military’s chosen policy implemented throughout the fighting. The only way to investigate violations of human rights committed in Gaza is by establishing an external, extra-military investigation mechanism.
“If the Military claims that there were no major deficiencies in its conduct in Gaza, it is not clear why Israel refuses to cooperate with the UN investigation team, led by the South African judge Richard Goldstone, which requests an investigation of alleged violations of international law by both Israel and Hamas.”
See previous reports on this website IDF ends investigation into Gaza war crimes allegations and The Military has repeatedly violated Medical Ethic Codes during its Gaza Offensive