Causecast

by ASHISH SHARMA, Causecast Editor

On June 15, the United Nations Human Rights Council announced that it would launch an investigation into the recent violence between the Israeli Army and Hamas in Gaza. The HRC, made up of 47 states, revealed that several investigations were planned to study the allegations of human rights abuses on both sides, from December 27, 2008, through January 18 of this year. An initial inspection was scheduled in early June, but Israel blocked access to Gaza, so the UN investigation team had to enter through Egypt. Israel has been hindering the investigation through its lack of cooperation despite Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s pleas for assistance.

Israel has refused to participate; they feel that there is a bias against them, even with HRC-appointed lead investigator Justice Richard Goldstone, a well-respected prosecutor. Goldstone has admitted that testimonies have been “difficult to hear” as the investigations came to an end. In an attempt to show the suffering that occurred on both sides, this is one of the first times that a UN fact-finding mission has been public.

In what has been described as a “scathing” report, Amnesty International released an account that blamed both Israeli troops and Hamas militants. Israeli troops were harshly criticized for killing unarmed civilians, including women and children, from close range. There have even been reports of Israeli troops using white phosphorous. At the same time, Hamas fired hundreds of rockets into southern Israel, killing dozens and driving thousands from their homes. Ban has also requested $11 million in compensation from Israel for the destruction of UN equipment in Gaza. The UN report found that the Israeli military campaign destroyed 50,000 homes, 800 industrial properties and 200 schools.

Security has always been an issue for both sides, but that does not mean the best way of defending is to attack first. Both sides have endured casualties; lives have been lost and for the remaining, lives have to be rebuilt. Hopefully, with the increased publicity of the UN reports, more attention can be brought to this crisis. It was Elie Wiesel who said “War leaves no victors, only victims.”

If you’re really ambitious, view the full 127-page Amnesty International report.
Photo by gloucester2gaza, flickr