This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7904929.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Israel-Hamas arms embargo urged Israel-Hamas arms embargo urged
(about 2 hours later)
Amnesty International has called for a freeze on arms sales to Israel and Palestinian groups such as Hamas following the recent Gaza conflict.Amnesty International has called for a freeze on arms sales to Israel and Palestinian groups such as Hamas following the recent Gaza conflict.
The human rights group said it had evidence both Israel and Hamas had used weapons sourced from overseas to carry out attacks on civilians.The human rights group said it had evidence both Israel and Hamas had used weapons sourced from overseas to carry out attacks on civilians.
It called for the UN Security Council to impose the embargo on all parties.It called for the UN Security Council to impose the embargo on all parties.
Both Israel and Hamas have rejected the conclusions of the report, in which Amnesty accuses each of war crimes.Both Israel and Hamas have rejected the conclusions of the report, in which Amnesty accuses each of war crimes.
In the report, Israel is accused of illegal use of white phosphorus and other armaments supplied by the US in Gaza, while Hamas is condemned for launching unguided rockets into Israel. In the report, Israel is accused of illegally using white phosphorus and other armaments supplied by the US in Gaza, while Hamas is condemned for launching unguided rockets into Israel.
READ THE AMNESTY BRIEFINGREAD THE AMNESTY BRIEFING
Amnesty International briefing on arms supplies to Israel and Gaza (1.1Mb) Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you might need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the reader hereAmnesty International briefing on arms supplies to Israel and Gaza (1.1Mb) Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you might need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the reader here
Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev told the BBC that Israel had used white phosphorus but not as an anti-personnel weapon.Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev told the BBC that Israel had used white phosphorus but not as an anti-personnel weapon.
The substance, which is used to lay smokescreens, is legal for use on open ground but its use in built-up areas where civilians are found is banned under international conventions.The substance, which is used to lay smokescreens, is legal for use on open ground but its use in built-up areas where civilians are found is banned under international conventions.
Mr Regev also accused Amnesty of basing its report on unsound data supplied by Hamas. "We tried to be as surgical as humanly possible in a difficult combat situation," he said.
Mr Regev criticised Amnesty's methodology, saying the report's authors used what he called "tainted" data provided by Hamas.
He said Israel was conducting its own investigation into whether any of its munitions were used outside international law.
Hamas also criticised the report's findings as "unjust and unfair".
"It [the report] equates between the criminal and the victim," said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum.
"There is not a single country in the world which exports weapons to the Hamas movement. At the same time main countries, big countries and superpowers are exporting nuclear and phosphorus weapons, as well as weapons of mass destruction, to the Zionist occupier [Israel]."
Gaza case studies: Weapons useOlmert 'to replace truce negotiator'
Israel launched an air strike on central Gaza on Monday after one of its patrols came under fire near the Kissufim border crossing but there were no immediate reports of casualties on either side.Israel launched an air strike on central Gaza on Monday after one of its patrols came under fire near the Kissufim border crossing but there were no immediate reports of casualties on either side.
We tried to be as surgical as humanly possible in a difficult combat situation Mark Regev Israeli government spokesman Gaza case studies: Weapons use
A single rocket launched from Gaza also hit Israeli territory without causing injuries or damage, Israel's military said.A single rocket launched from Gaza also hit Israeli territory without causing injuries or damage, Israel's military said.
The incidents happened despite unilateral truces declared by both Israel and Hamas on 18 January. The incidents came despite unilateral truces declared by both Israel and Hamas on 18 January.
The outgoing Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, is reportedly suspending his main negotiator at the talks mediated by Egypt on a lasting truce with Hamas in Gaza. Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has decided to replace his main negotiator at the talks mediated by Egypt on a lasting truce with Hamas in Gaza, officials say.
Amos Gilad criticised Mr Olmert last week for what he called an inconsistent approach to the talks, which he described as insulting to the Egyptians.Amos Gilad criticised Mr Olmert last week for what he called an inconsistent approach to the talks, which he described as insulting to the Egyptians.
'War crimes''War crimes'
Donatella Rovera, the head of an Amnesty fact-finding mission to southern Israel and Gaza, said: "Israeli forces used white phosphorus and other weapons supplied by the USA to carry out serious violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes.Donatella Rovera, the head of an Amnesty fact-finding mission to southern Israel and Gaza, said: "Israeli forces used white phosphorus and other weapons supplied by the USA to carry out serious violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes.
[Israeli] attacks resulted in the death of hundreds of children and other civilians and massive destruction of homes and infrastructure Donatella RoveraAmnesty International Gaza conflict: Who is a civilian?Q&A: White phosphorus injuriesWho can probe Gaza war crimes claims?[Israeli] attacks resulted in the death of hundreds of children and other civilians and massive destruction of homes and infrastructure Donatella RoveraAmnesty International Gaza conflict: Who is a civilian?Q&A: White phosphorus injuriesWho can probe Gaza war crimes claims?
"Their attacks resulted in the death of hundreds of children and other civilians and massive destruction of homes and infrastructure."Their attacks resulted in the death of hundreds of children and other civilians and massive destruction of homes and infrastructure.
"At the same time, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups fired hundreds of rockets that had been smuggled in or made of components from abroad at civilian areas in Israel."At the same time, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups fired hundreds of rockets that had been smuggled in or made of components from abroad at civilian areas in Israel.
"Though far less lethal than the weaponry used by Israel, such rocket firing also constitutes a war crime and caused several civilian deaths.""Though far less lethal than the weaponry used by Israel, such rocket firing also constitutes a war crime and caused several civilian deaths."
The charity's report said it had found fragments and components of artillery, tank shells, fins from mortar rounds and aircraft-launched missiles and bombs in school playgrounds, hospitals and homes in Gaza. The report said fragments and components of artillery, tank shells, fins from mortar rounds and aircraft-launched missiles and bombs were found in school playgrounds, hospitals and homes in Gaza.
Israel's weaponry predominantly came from the US, the report said.Israel's weaponry predominantly came from the US, the report said.
In southern Israel, meanwhile, the remains of rockets fired indiscriminately at civilian areas by Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups were also recovered, the report said. About 1,300 Gazans and 13 Israelis died in 22 days of fighting last month.
'Tainted' report
/>
Mr Regev defended Israeli military tactics in an interview for the BBC's Today programme.
"We tried to be as surgical as humanly possible in a difficult combat situation," he said.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum called the report "unfair", telling Reuters there was no comparison between the Israeli forces' weaponry and Palestinian "people who defend themselves with some rifles and other primitive means".
He denied that Hamas had acquired weapons from other countries.
Around 1,300 Gazans and 13 Israelis died in 22 days of fighting last month.
What do you think of this Amnesty International report? Send us your comments below.What do you think of this Amnesty International report? Send us your comments below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
Name
 Name