By firing of rockets at Israel by Palestinians in Gaza during the conflict in May amounted to war crimes, that is according to Human Rights Watch.
The attacks “flagrantly violated” the laws of war, said the campaign group, following an investigation.
More than 4,360 unguided rockets and mortars were fired, said Israel, killing 13 people there. Some fell short, killing Palestinians in Gaza.
At least 260 people were killed in Gaza during the 11 days of fighting.
It began after weeks of spiraling Israeli-Palestinian tension in East Jerusalem which culminated in clashes at a holy site revered by both Muslims and Jews. Hamas – the militant Islamist group which rules Gaza- began firing rockets warning Israel to withdraw from the site, triggering retaliatory air strikes.
Last month, HRW said three Israeli air strikes it investigated also amounted to war crimes. The investigation into the strikes which killed 62 civilians found no evidence of military targets nearby.
The Israeli military said it only struck military targets in Gaza and took various measures to avoid causing civilian casualties.
In its report released on Thursday, HRW said: “The rockets and mortars that Palestinian armed groups fired lack guidance systems and are prone to misfire, making them extremely inaccurate and thus inherently indiscriminate when directed toward areas with civilians. Launching such rockets to attack civilian areas is a war crime.
“Hamas authorities should stop trying to justify unlawful rocket attacks that indiscriminately kill and injure civilians by pointing to Israel’s violations,” Eric Goldstein, HRW acting Middle East and North Africa director, said. “The laws of war are meant to protect all civilians from harm.”
