ISRAEL HAS issued its first comprehensive report into the military campaign in Gaza, justifying the offensive as a proportionate response to attacks by Palestinian militants.
The 160-page defence brief concluded that “Israel had both a right and an obligation to take military action against Hamas in Gaza to stop almost incessant rocket and mortar attacks upon thousands of Israeli civilians”, noting that between 2000 and 2008 more than 12,000 rockets were fired into southern Israel.
The detailed Israeli brief followed a number of critical reports from Palestinian and human rights groups, including Amnesty International, which accused Israel of excessive force, violating international law and even committing war crimes. The release came ahead of the publication of two United Nations reports into the three-week offensive which began on December 27th – these are due in the coming weeks.
The report argued that, under international law, Israel had every right to use military force to defend its citizens. It noted that the army was investigating about 100 allegations of misconduct by soldiers, including more than a dozen criminal inquiries.
The Israeli brief admitted that many Palestinian civilians were killed or wounded , although it disputed the Palestinian figures and placed the blame on Hamas for deploying its fighters in civilian neighbourhoods.
Israel admitted using white phosphorus but rejected Palestinian claims that dozens of people were killed or wounded by the shells.
The report also highlighted Israeli humanitarian efforts during the offensive aimed at maintaining the flow of food and basic supplies to Gaza residents.
Hamas official Mushair al-Masri rejected the Israeli conclusions, repeating the charge that Israel committed war crimes in Gaza.
“This report is ridiculous and stupid and does not deserve a response,” he said .
A number of reports by Israeli NGOs critical of the army’s actions during the war in Gaza have prompted the government to consider moves to stop the organisations receiving funding from foreign governments.
Ireland and other European governments regularly fund Israeli advocacy groups which promote peace initiatives and work against the occupation.