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/8012543.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Israelis 'followed law in Gaza' | Israelis 'followed law in Gaza' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The Israeli military says an internal investigation has shown that it operated according to international law during its recent operation in Gaza. | The Israeli military says an internal investigation has shown that it operated according to international law during its recent operation in Gaza. |
| Troops maintained "a high professional" level against "an enemy that aimed to terrorise Israeli civilians", it said. | Troops maintained "a high professional" level against "an enemy that aimed to terrorise Israeli civilians", it said. |
| A small number of intelligence or operational errors did take place but these were unavoidable, it said. | A small number of intelligence or operational errors did take place but these were unavoidable, it said. |
| Israel has faced criticism since the three-week conflict ended in January over the high level of civilian deaths. | Israel has faced criticism since the three-week conflict ended in January over the high level of civilian deaths. |
| Palestinians say more than 1,400 Gazans were killed, of whom more than two-thirds were civilians. Israel puts the figure lower, at 1,166 dead, of whom it says about two-thirds were fighters. | Palestinians say more than 1,400 Gazans were killed, of whom more than two-thirds were civilians. Israel puts the figure lower, at 1,166 dead, of whom it says about two-thirds were fighters. |
| Ten Israeli soldiers were killed and three civilians died in rocket attacks. | Ten Israeli soldiers were killed and three civilians died in rocket attacks. |
| Earlier this month, the United Nations appointed former war crimes prosecutor Richard Goldstone to investigate alleged violations of international law during the conflict. | Earlier this month, the United Nations appointed former war crimes prosecutor Richard Goldstone to investigate alleged violations of international law during the conflict. |
| 'Avoid harm' | 'Avoid harm' |
| The Israeli military said its report was based on the findings of five investigative teams assigned to probe its soldiers' conduct. | The Israeli military said its report was based on the findings of five investigative teams assigned to probe its soldiers' conduct. |
| The investigations showed that throughout the fighting in Gaza, the IDF operated in accordance with international law Israeli military report Gaza conflict: Who is a civilian? Who can probe 'war crimes'? Israel disputes Gaza death rates | The investigations showed that throughout the fighting in Gaza, the IDF operated in accordance with international law Israeli military report Gaza conflict: Who is a civilian? Who can probe 'war crimes'? Israel disputes Gaza death rates |
| The Israeli military "operated in accordance with moral values and international laws of war", it said in a statement, and made "an enormous effort" to avoid harming uninvolved civilians. | |
| A small number of incidents occurred in which intelligence or operational mistakes were made. | A small number of incidents occurred in which intelligence or operational mistakes were made. |
| "These unfortunate incidents were unavoidable and occur in all combat situations, in particular of the type which Hamas forced on the IDF [Israeli Defence Force], by choosing to fight from within the civilian population," the military said. | "These unfortunate incidents were unavoidable and occur in all combat situations, in particular of the type which Hamas forced on the IDF [Israeli Defence Force], by choosing to fight from within the civilian population," the military said. |
| The Israeli military also gave its findings on several of the most controversial incidents during the war, including the firing of artillery shells near a UN-run school on 6 January. | |
| The UN said about 42 people were killed but Israeli military investigators found only 12 people had died, five of whom they said were "terror operatives". | |
| Of the attack on the house of a Palestinian doctor, Izzeldeen Abuelaish, which killed three of his daughters, the military said soldiers had been targeting "suspicious figures" in the building and had urged the family to leave days earlier. | |
| UN probe | |
| It is not yet clear whether Israel will co-operate with the UN probe. | It is not yet clear whether Israel will co-operate with the UN probe. |
| Mr Goldstone and his team - which includes experts from Pakistan, Britain and Ireland - have been asked to investigate "all violations of international humanitarian law" before, during and after the Israeli campaign. | Mr Goldstone and his team - which includes experts from Pakistan, Britain and Ireland - have been asked to investigate "all violations of international humanitarian law" before, during and after the Israeli campaign. |
| They are due to begin work in the region within weeks, the UN says. | They are due to begin work in the region within weeks, the UN says. |
| Both sides in the conflict are accused of the indiscriminate use of force in densely-populated areas. | Both sides in the conflict are accused of the indiscriminate use of force in densely-populated areas. |
| Rights groups also say they have evidence that Israel used white phosphorous - a chemical agent that causes burns - in densely-populated areas. | Rights groups also say they have evidence that Israel used white phosphorous - a chemical agent that causes burns - in densely-populated areas. |
| White phosphorous is legal for use on open ground but its use in built-up areas where civilians are found is banned under international conventions. | White phosphorous is legal for use on open ground but its use in built-up areas where civilians are found is banned under international conventions. |