Strikes could breach laws of war, UN says
Israel could be violating the laws of war by bombing Palestinian homes in Gaza, the UN's human rights office said on Friday, as the death toll from the Israeli strikes rose to 100.
"We have received disturbing reports that many of the civilian casualties, including of children, occurred as a result of strikes on homes," spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said.
"Such reports raise doubts about whether the Israeli airstrikes have been in accordance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law," she told reporters.
"In case of doubt, buildings that are ordinarily used for civilian purposes, such as homes, are presumed not to be legitimate military targets," she said.
"Even when a home is identified as being used for military purposes, any attack must be proportionate, offer a definite military advantage in the prevailing circumstances at the time, and precautions must be taken to protect civilians," she added.
AFP
(China Daily 07/12/2014 page8)
