Security
Mideast: Gaza death toll 'much higher'
Jerusalem, 9 Sept. (AKI) - An Israeli human rights group has claimed that far more innocent Palestinian civilians were killed in the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip this year than the military has admitted. According to Israeli rights group B'Tselem, 1,387 Palestinians were killed during the three weeks of Operation Cast Lead, of whom 773 were civilians - including children.
The group's report contradicts an Israeli army report stating that fewer than 300 civilians died in the conflict that took place between December 2008 and January 2009.
Israel says it launched the assault to halt rocket attacks from Hamas-run Gaza.
Amnesty International has already accused Israel of having committed war crimes during its offensive.
B'Tselem said its conclusions were drawn from months of research, and included visits to the families of the victims.
The group demanded the Israeli government launch an independent investigation into its three-week offensive.
"The extremely heavy civilian casualties and the massive damage to civilian property require serious introspection on the part of Israeli society," the group said.
Earlier this year the Israeli army said that 1,166 Palestinians were killed in the conflict.
The army said this figure included 709 militants from Hamas and other groups, and 295 non-combatants.
The group estimates 252 people under the age of 16 died - while the army puts that figure at 89.
"The extremely heavy civilian casualties and the massive damage to civilian property require serious introspection on the part of Israeli society," B'Tselem said.
The Israeli army has admitted "rare mishaps" during the campaign but denies troops violated international humanitarian law.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the report, but has previously said the aim of the campaign "was to target the Hamas terror organisation and not citizens of the Gaza Strip."
Nine Israelis were killed during Cast Lead as well. Four were killed by rocket fire on southern Israel, while the other five were soldiers killed in combat.
The group's report contradicts an Israeli army report stating that fewer than 300 civilians died in the conflict that took place between December 2008 and January 2009.
Israel says it launched the assault to halt rocket attacks from Hamas-run Gaza.
Amnesty International has already accused Israel of having committed war crimes during its offensive.
B'Tselem said its conclusions were drawn from months of research, and included visits to the families of the victims.
The group demanded the Israeli government launch an independent investigation into its three-week offensive.
"The extremely heavy civilian casualties and the massive damage to civilian property require serious introspection on the part of Israeli society," the group said.
Earlier this year the Israeli army said that 1,166 Palestinians were killed in the conflict.
The army said this figure included 709 militants from Hamas and other groups, and 295 non-combatants.
The group estimates 252 people under the age of 16 died - while the army puts that figure at 89.
"The extremely heavy civilian casualties and the massive damage to civilian property require serious introspection on the part of Israeli society," B'Tselem said.
The Israeli army has admitted "rare mishaps" during the campaign but denies troops violated international humanitarian law.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the report, but has previously said the aim of the campaign "was to target the Hamas terror organisation and not citizens of the Gaza Strip."
Nine Israelis were killed during Cast Lead as well. Four were killed by rocket fire on southern Israel, while the other five were soldiers killed in combat.
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