Amnesty condemns possible 'war crimes' of both Israel, Palestinians in Gaza conflict
Amnesty International claims that Israeli strikes on Gaza and Palestinian rocket fire at Israeli cities during last month's flareup could amount to "war crimes."
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Israel and Palestinian terror groups in Gaza, including Islamic Jihad, traded heavy fire in the May 9-13 conflict.
The London-based human rights group charges that Israeli strikes carried out "without military necessity" amount to "a form of collective punishment against the civilian population."
It also accuses Palestinian terror groups of "indiscriminate" rocket fire aimed at Israel that "should also be investigated as war crimes."
Amnesty says the Israeli military operation damaged 2,943 housing units, including 103 homes that were completely destroyed.
"Israel also conducted apparently disproportionate airstrikes which killed and injured Palestinian civilians, including children," the statement adds, noting that "intentionally launching disproportionate attacks... is a war crime."
"Israel's impunity for the war crimes it repeatedly commits against Palestinians, and for its cruel ongoing 16-year illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip, emboldens further violations and makes injustice chronic," says Heba Morayef, Middle East and North Africa regional director at Amnesty International.
The Israeli army does not immediately respond to requests from AFP for comment on Amnesty's claims.
A spokesperson for Palestinian Islamic Jihad -- considered a terrorist group by Israel, the United States and the European Union -- says the group "welcomes" the report.
"We are doing our part to defend ourselves against the crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinian people," it adds in a statement.