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| Civilian Population Suffered by Israeli Attacks |
BETHLEHEM : Human Rights Watch on Friday urged Israel and Hamas to address the ongoing human rights abuses and impunity for violations of the laws of war, after a ceasefire deal ended eight days of deadly fighting.
Statement from the International Rights Group said, "Israeli attacks on presumptively civilian structures, including media buildings, civilian government buildings and police stations, raise concerns that the laws of war were violated,"
"Civilian objects may not be attacked unless and for only such time as they are being used for military purposes" HRW statement added.
Rockets launched by militant groups in Gaza, if they cannot distinguish civilian from military targets, or deliberately target civilians, are "serious violations of the laws of war," HRW added.
The group also criticized US by adding that, "The United States, instead of shielding its Israeli ally from international pressure to end the virtual impunity for members of its armed forces, should press for real accountability,"
It further said that, "Hamas’s supporters, including Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, should press it to end attacks directed at Israeli civilians and to hold members of its forces accountable for abuses,"