Israeli rights groups reject Army probe responses

Tel Aviv, Apr. 23 (ANI): Israeli human rights organizations have unanimously criticized the country's army's response to their allegations of serious international law violations during and after Operation Cast Lead in Gaza last December and January.

Ten Israeli organizations said the results were "very problematic.

Military investigation results published today refer to dozens of innocent Palestinian civilians killed by 'rare mishaps' in Gaza during 'Operation Cast Lead,'" the statement read.

"However, data collected by Israeli human rights organizations shows that many civilians were killed in Gaza not due to 'mishaps' but as a direct result of the military's chosen policy implemented throughout the fighting. The only way to investigate violations of human rights committed in Gaza is by establishing an external, extra-military investigation mechanism."

The statement was issued by B'Tselem, Physicians for Human Rights, Gisha, Adalah, The Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Yesh Din, Hamoked, The Public Committee against Torture, Bimkom and Rabbis for Human Rights.

They called on the government to cooperate with the UN Human Rights Council investigation team headed by Richard Goldstone. (ANI)