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The conflict in the Gaza Strip has been escalating for days
Photo: ANAS BABA / AFP
The conflict around the Gaza Strip has been escalating for days.
Now, according to UN human rights experts, there are strong indications that armed Palestinian groups like Hamas are perpetrating war crimes - but also Israel.
The International Criminal Court in The Hague should investigate the behavior of both sides, the experts demanded in a statement.
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They accuse Israel of firing rockets and grenades in densely populated areas in the Gaza Strip.
These "arbitrary and excessive attacks" on civilians "are likely to violate martial law and constitute a war crime," the five experts wrote.
They specialize in reporting on arbitrary executions, demonstrations, anti-terrorism operations, the right to education and the situation in the Palestinian territories.
Palestinian armed groups would similarly fire missiles "deliberately or ruthlessly" at Israeli urban areas.
Here, too, could well be a war crime.
"This fight is extremely unequal," emphasized the experts.
In their view, one of the best-armed armies in the world rules over the Palestinians, who have the right to be liberated from the Israeli occupation.
At least 211 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Monday, including at least 59 children.
There are also ten Israelis, including two children.
Almost 40,000 Palestinians have been evicted from their homes and are housed in UN facilities.
ime / dpa
