Arab states want action on alleged war crimes

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"Arab states will urge the United Nations Security Council to examine evidence that could lead to indictments against Israeli officers and officials for war crimes in Gaza, according to Riyad Mansour, Palestinian envoy to the UN.

Mr Mansour was speaking after senior UN officials said the combatants must be held accountable for their actions during the three-week Israeli offensive against Hamas in which 1,300 Palestinian were killed and 5,300 injured.

Karen AbuZayd, head of Unrwa, the Palestinian refugee agency, told the security council on Tuesday that there appeared to have been “systematic destruction” of schools, universities, residential buildings, factories, shops and farms during the Israeli operation.

John Holmes, the UN humanitarian affairs chief said major questions needed to be asked about the failure of Israeli forces to protect civilians and humanitarian workers in Gaza. While also condemning Hamas rocket attacks on Israel as clear violations of humanitarian law, he said: “There must be accountability.”

As the UN awaits an Israeli explanation for attacks that targeted UN installations in the territory, UN officials said they were working on their own report. Investigations are also under way by the Arab League and the UN’s Human Rights council.

Mr Mansour acknowledged that persuading the security council to support measures against alleged crimes against humanity by Israel was “not an easy exercise”. But he said the collation of evidence from independent international sources, including UN officials, would isolate those states unwilling to take action.

"We cannot wait for a long period of time to collect evidence to issue indictments,” he said. “The next stage will be to go for legal action. This time we are determined not to let the Israelis get away with all the crimes they committed.”

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1. The Onion is not a credible source.