UN Commissioner: investigate Israel for war crimes
Dan
01/10/2009 @ 11:23 am
Filed by Stephen C. Webster
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Israel leaflets Gaza, promises fighting will intensify
Navi Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights, wants
an investigation into what she believes to be war crimes committed by
Israeli forces.
She specifically highlighted a recent incident in which Israel attacked
a civilian safe house in Gaza, killing more than 30 people.
Her stinging words arrived just one evening before Israel began dropping
leaflets on Gaza Saturday, each warning of a coming escalation.
The UN Office for the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs reported that
110 Palestinians, all in a single extended family, were "herded" into
the house and told not to leave by Israeli soldiers. Less than 24 hours
later, the house was attacked.
“Those who survived and were able walked two kilometers to Salah Ed Din
road before being transported to the hospital in civilian vehicles,"
reads the UN report. "Three children, the youngest of whom was five
months old, died upon arrival at the hospital.”
Pillay said the attack bore "all the elements of war crimes," according
to a published report.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, four infants,
clinging to the corpses of what was believed to be their parents, were
discovered after the attack. The children went undiscovered for over 48
hours, despite Israeli solders being mere yards away.
Pillay, from S. Africa, is a former judge with the International
Criminal Court.
Israel denies the incident altogether. The UN report cites specific
testimony, though does not identify the origin.
The announcement by the UN commissioner comes on the heels of Red Cross
criticism. The aid agency said Israel has failed at helping injured
civilians, a key rule of war.
Israel said its military "works in close cooperation with international
aid organizations during the fighting so that civilians can be provided
with assistance."
"I am concerned with violations of international law," Pillay told
Reuters. "Incidents such as this must be investigated because they
display elements of what could constitute war crimes."
During the first week of January, the Red Cross criticized Israel for
hampering ambulance services to embattled Palestinian civilians.
"The situation is extremely dangerous and the coordination of ambulance
services is very complex because of the incessant attacks and military
operations," ICRC spokeswoman Dorothea Krimitsas said in Geneva.
"Wounded people have died while waiting for Palestinian Red Crescent
ambulances," she added.
Pakistani ambassador Zamir Akram echoed Pillay's sentiment, in a speech
delivered on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
"In their totality these constitute war crimes and crimes against
humanity," he declared.
With wire reports