'Much of the destruction was wanton and resulted from direct attacks on civilian objects,'
Amnesty International’s extensive 117-page Report entitled ‘Israel/Gaza Operation ‘Cast Lead’:22 Days of Death and Destruction’ depicts a harrowing onslaught on a defenseless civilian population. Operation ‘Cast Lead’ commenced at 11.30am on 27 Dec. 2008, with an unrelenting and indiscriminate Israeli aerial bombardment (precision F-16 fighter jets) of the war torn Gaza Strip. Israel’s proposed legitimate aim was to end rocket attacks into Israel territory by armed groups affiliated with Hamas and other Palestinian factions.Within 22 days of an incessant assault upon the region, some 1,400 Palestinians had lay dead, including some 300 children and hundreds of other unarmed civilians, including more than 115 women and some 85 men aged over 50. In addition to the human carnage, vast areas of Gaza were pummelled and left virtually inhabitable. had been razed to the ground, leaving many thousands homeless and the already dire economy in ruins.
According to Amnesty the indiscriminate attacks were a clear breach of international humanitarian law, most notably the prohibition on direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects (the principle of distinction), the prohibition on indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks, and the prohibition on collective punishment.
The Amnesty Report unequivocally calls for an immediate implementation international arms embargoes against Israel and Hamas, and called for 'criminal investigations in national courts' under universal jurisdiction wherever there is sufficient evidence of war crimes.
Rather than go into depth in the full implications of this report I would like to invite Rebels Yell readers to watch this short film footage in order to truly visualise the horrific aftermath of the 22-Day War. The actual report can be found here.
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