" These deaths stand out because the civilians were in groups waving a white cloth, T-shirt or scarf, and no Palestinian fighters were in the area at the time "
HRW |
[Al Arabiya Latest] Israeli soldiers shot and killed 11 innocent Palestinian civilians, including four children, who were in groups waving white flags during the Gaza assault, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday, adding this was not the only case of unlawful killings that took place.
"The Israeli military should conduct thorough, credible investigations into these deaths to tackle the prevailing culture of impunity," the New York-based organisation said in a 63-page report.
It said the 11 people were only small fraction of the total number of civilians and combatants killed in the 22-day land, air and sea assault of the impoverished strip.
"However, these deaths stand out because the civilians were in groups waving a white cloth, T-shirt or scarf, and no Palestinian fighters were in the area at the time," HRW said. "Under the laws of war, individuals who carry out or order deliberate attacks on civilians are responsible for war crimes," the report continued. |