">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Israeli army defends conduct during Gaza war
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Israeli army defends conduct during Gaza war
AFP - Thursday, April 23
TEL AVIV (AFP) - - The Israeli army on Wednesday defended its conduct during a devastating war against Hamas in Gaza earlier this year, rejecting claims it had violated international law.
ADVERTISEMENT
Five investigations carried out by the military found that the army "operated in accordance with international law," the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement.
The military "maintained a high professional and moral level" while facing an enemy that deliberately fought from within civilian areas, it said.
"The enemy booby-trapped its houses with explosives, fired from the schools attended by its own children and used its own people as human shields while cynically abusing the IDF legal and ethical commitment to avoid injuring uninvolved civilians."
A group of Israeli human rights organisations said that the results of the army's internal investigation were "problematic" and that an independent probe was the only way to investigate the allegations.
"Data collected by Israeli human rights organisations shows that many civilians were killed in Gaza not due to 'mishaps' but as a direct result of the militarys chosen policy implemented throughout the fighting," the 10 groups said in a statement.
"The only way to investigate violations of human rights committed in Gaza is by establishing an external, extra-military investigation mechanism."
Israel has come under a barrage of criticism in the wake of the 22-day war in Gaza that killed more than 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis, with rights groups and some UN officials saying that the Jewish state could be guilty of war crimes.
The UN has set up a commission headed by former international prosecutor Richard Goldstone to probe allegations of crimes during the offensive. Israel has said it would not cooperate with the inquiry.
The military statement said that its investigations "revealed a very small number of incidents in which intelligence or operational errors took place during the fighting."
Among these was an attack on a residence in the Zeitun neighbourhood in southern Gaza City in which 21 people were killed when forces mistakenly targetted a home rather than a nearby weapon storage facility, deputy chief of staff Major General Dan Harel told reporters.
"These unfortunate incidents were unavoidable and occur in all combat situations, in particular of the type which Hamas forced on the IDF by choosing to fight from within the civilian population," he said.
Top among the charges levelled against the Israeli military was its use of white phosphorous shells, which are allowed for use on open battlefields to create a smokescreen for troops, but prohibited in densely populated areas where it can light fires that are virtually impossible to extinguish and inflict severe burn wounds.
Harel said that the army's use of phosphorous munitions was "in accordance with international humanitarian law."
In its statement, the IDF said that it made every effort to avoid civilian casualties, including by dropping more than two million leaflets and by placing more than 165,000 phone calls warning residents of the blockaded territory of impending attacks.
"The IDF had to face difficult moral dilemmas as a result of the illegitimate approach of Hamas," said the statement.
"This approach turned Gazas urban areas into a battle field and intentionally made use of uninvolved civilians, civilian buildings and sensitive humanitarian facilities" like hospitals and UN buildings, it said.
Defence Minister Ehud Barak hailed the army's investigations and said that "they proved that the IDF is among most moral armies in the world. The IDF is not afraid of investigating itself and thus prove the morality of its actions," according to a statement from his office.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
0 users recommend
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: World
Russian minister arrives in NKorea: state mediaAFP - 1 hour 19 minutes ago
Israeli foreign minister to travel to Egypt: radioAFP - 1 hour 53 minutes ago
Rice OK'd CIA waterboard request as Bush adviserAP - 2 hours 10 minutes ago
US sentences Colombian drug trafficker to 31 yearsAFP - 2 hours 17 minutes ago
Clinton defends abortion right worldwideAFP - 2 hours 26 minutes ago
Most Popular – World
Viewed
IMF sees deeper 2009 decline, weak 2010
Robust profits mask problems in bank sector
Charred meat linked to pancreatic cancer risk
Fertility doctor on brink of cloning human: report
'Silent' heart attacks go unnoticed: study
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Thursday, 23 April 2009 U.S. says nearing key moment in eastern Afghanistan
| International
|
U.N. launches report on Iraq's contested Kirkuk
| International
|
Israeli army says no serious misconduct in Gaza
| International
|
Four Canadian, European al Qaeda hostages freed-Mali
| International
|
Lesotho PM survives assassination attempt
| International
|
In app store war, BlackBerry, Google hold own
| Technology
|
Get SMS-ing, U.S. tech execs urge Web-starved Iraq
| Technology
|
AT&T profit boosted by iPhone, video, Internet
| Technology
|
Amazon Kindle materials half device's retail price: iSuppli
| Technology
|
Microsoft judge says oversight process at much better place
| Technology
|
Charlie Sheen says premature twins doing great
| Entertainment
|
African Queen cinematographer Cardiff dies
| Entertainment
|
Marley's One Love tops Jamaica's best song list
| Entertainment
|
Hannah Montana rises to top of album chart
| Entertainment
|
ANC takes early lead in South African election
| International
|
Israeli foreign minister to travel to Egypt: radio
Violence casts shadow as India votes in new round
| International
|
Taliban advances in Pakistan pose "threat": US
Russian envoy to press North Korea on arms project
| International
|
UN gives Iraq report on troubled Kirkuk
Sri Lankan war in endgame, 100,000 escape rebel zone
| International
|
Turkey says agrees framework for ties with Armenia
| International
|
Swiss bank Credit Suisse back into profit in Q1
U.S. talks tough as Iran says ready for meeting
Clinton defends abortion right worldwide
Mexico president seeks tougher crime laws: report
| International
|
Rights groups cry whitewash over army's Gaza probe
China slams Japan PM over war shrine offering
| International
|
Turkey, Armenia agree 'roadmap' on normalising ties
Israeli army says no serious misconduct in Gaza
World Bank tried to blackmail Bolivia: Morales
| International
|
Britain forecasts economy to shrink fastest since WWII
U.S. urged to focus on governance in Afghanistan
| International
|
Tensions rise in Iraq's Mosul
Boeing profit slammed by global downturn
China shows off its expanding, modernizing navy
| International
|
Israel: Halt Iran to allow Mideast peace efforts
IMF sees deeper 2009 decline, weak 2010
Israeli army defends conduct during Gaza war
US military chief visits troops in Afghanistan
G8 looks to greener White House to lead on global warming
Waxman says climate bill won't be drag on economy
Echelon, T-Mobile USA form smart meter alliance
| Technology
|
MySpace co-founder DeWolfe to step down
| Technology
|
Apple profit beats expectations on iPhones, iPods
| Technology
|
No quick cybersecurity fix seen
| Technology
|
Rice OK'd CIA waterboard request as Bush adviser
Cyber crooks hot on heels of computer users: Chambers
EBay beats Street view, shares rise
| Technology
|
US sentences Colombian drug trafficker to 31 years
Samsung aims to more than double notebook PC sales
| Technology
|
Apple under fire over iPhone 'Baby Shaker'
FDA to allow Plan B birth control for 17-year-olds
VMware software sales fall
| Technology
|
US-TECH Summary
GM employees may get shutdown details this week
Marley & Me top dog in video sales
| Technology
|
"Marley & Me" top dog in video sales
UN chief, Canada welcome Al-Qaeda hostage release
A state-by-state breakdown of volunteering rates
Echelon, T-Mobile USA form smart meter alliance
Ukraine leader to review gas accords with Moscow
Youth volunteering dips, first time since 9/11
Nintendo's Game Boy turns 20
Development banks pledge $90B to Latam, Carib
Samsung aims to more than double notebook PC sales
British pupils in Greek road collision: report
White House fights back on torture flap
US cyberspace head says security needs team effort
FBI offers reward in case of girl missing 6 months
CORRECTED: MySpace might replace co-founder DeWolfe: reports
MySpace chief executive Chris DeWolfe stepping down
Samsung aims to more than double notebook PC sales
EU travelers to get cheaper mobile messages, calls
Double elimination as Idol nears home stretch
| Entertainment
|
Streisand says she can relax after Obama victory
| Entertainment
|
Indians vote amid threats by suspected rebels
Colorado man arrested for shooting bounty hunter Dog
| Entertainment
|
Lost to host stealth campaign for Flash Forward
| Entertainment
|
Judges grill KRouge prison chief
Miss Universe Australia in skinny controversy
| Entertainment
|
Japan's anti-piracy bill passes lower house
Horror director picked for third Twilight film
| Entertainment
|
Violence casts shadow as India votes
Rapper Rick Ross set for third U.S. chart-topper
| Entertainment
|
Golkar throws Indonesian election wide open
Who Wants to be a Millionaire gets summer revival
| Entertainment
|
China angered by Japan PM's war shrine offering
Franz Ferdinand gets dub infusion with Blood
| Entertainment
|
Two police killed in Thailand's south: officials
Poor DVD sales hamper U.S. film financing deals
| Entertainment
|
China protests Japanese leader's shrine offering
Army bullets used in Thai assassination bid: chief
New Zealand wants clear rules on pilot phone calls
Elton John no longer standing on Vegas; ends run
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Hong Kong tycoon drops $2 billion bid for PCCW
"Lost" to host stealth campaign for "Flash Forward"
Seoul shares rise 0.94 pct as techs, autos rally
Franz Ferdinand gets dub infusion with "Blood"
Honda mulling investment request from Pioneer
Celeb birthdays for the week of April 26-May 2
Korea Hot Stocks
French women, thinnest in Europe, think they're fat
Japan's Mizuho Financial to post five-bln-dlr loss
Roger Ebert donates $1 million to U. of Illinois
S.Korea to form $3 bln fund to aid shippers
Miss Universe Australia in "skinny" controversy
New Zealand credit card billings fall in March-RBNZ
Arab novel booms as Beirut named World Book Capital
EBay wins regulator approval for Gmarket deal
Chinese writers fail to find global voice
S.Korea won turns down on importers, IMF forecast cut
S.Korea to support GM Daewoo, Ssangyong's vendors
Iran says pipeline agreement reached with Iraq
Scores killed in Iraq blasts
Afghans welcome security, wary of U.S. tactics
| International
|
Suicide attacks kill dozens in Iraq
Iraq suicide bombs kill 73
Barclays optimistic about 2009
Italy pledges to move July G8 to quake-hit area
| International
|
Volkswagen mulling Porsche counter bid
Suicide bomber kills 28 in Baghdad
Khmer Rouge jailer says ordered to smash prisoners
| International
|
Somalia seeks funds to fight piracy, boost security
| International
|
Ecuador's Correa poised for easy re-election win
| International
|
'Lucky escape' for Australian coral reef
House panel probes climate bill's downsides
Nokia CEO: too early to call bottom of phone demand
| Technology
|
FDA joins state probe into horse deaths in Florida
FBI probes finances of NY man in family slaying
SC wildfire burns homes near popular beach area
Nepal firm to expand mobile coverage to Everest
Nepal firm to expand mobile coverage to Everest
| Technology
|
US lacks civilians for Afghan 'civilian surge'
EU sent draft Intel ruling to member states
EU sent draft Intel ruling to member states
| Technology
|
Clinton: Pakistan realizing threat from insurgents
Stocks fall on weak home sales report
Italy releases funds for quake reconstruction
Gates Found. pledges $57M to overseas libraries
AP Poll: Americans high on Obama, direction of US
New jobless claims rise more than expected to 640K
Santana to receive lifetime achievement award
Tarantino back in Cannes with Almodovar, Campion
| Entertainment
|
China puts naval power on display; pledges peace
Australia charges 2 with people smuggling
Japan honours 'Limits to Growth' science author
Key events in US Marine rape case in Philippines
China shows off its expanding navy
Kazakhs jail opposition journalist
Chinese firm recalls tainted luncheon meat: report
Reliance Industries quarterly profit falls 9.4 pct
US marine acquitted of Philippines rape: court
'Lucky escape' for Australian coral reef
Pakistani shares end 3 pct lower on Taliban fears
China aluminum firm seeks $1.6 billion from IPO
14 soldiers killed fighting forest fire in Nepal
Taiwan pledges $1.3 billion green investment
Australia approves Chinese bid for Oz Minerals
Entropa artwork to go with Czech cabinet in May
Taiwan dollar up in thin trade on exporter deals
Emory to unveil Walker literary archive this week
Taiwan March export orders hint downturn is moderating
Tarantino back in Cannes with Almodovar, Campion
Australia approves Chinese purchase of Oz Minerals
'Idol' finalists Lil Rounds, Anoop Desai are out
Hyundai Motor says profits dive on weak sales
Tarantino, Lee line up for Cannes film festival
Japan's Mizuho Financial forecasts annual net loss
Cannes Fest names 20 films in competition
Aykroyd visits New Orleans rebuilding project site
Japanese pop star arrested for alleged indecency
Ang Lee protege delighted to be shooting again
Indonesia kicks ICRC out of Papua
Indonesia shuts Red Cross office in Papua province
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights