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Hamas should be involved in international investigation: former adviser to Israeli prime minister

Politics Materials 30 January 2009 14:30 (UTC +04:00)
Hamas should be involved in international investigation: former adviser to Israeli prime minister

Alongside Israel, Hamas should also be involved in investigation for military crimes in the Gaza Strip, Raanan Gissin, former senior adviser to the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said in his interview with Al-Jazeera TV station.

International human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have launched investigation into Israeli attack which lasted 22 days and claimed lives of 1,300 Palestinians.

On Jan. 12, the UN Geneva-bases Human Rights Council backed sending international commission to investigate violation of international law on human rights and humanitarian rights by Israel, not Hamas and other Palestinian groups as it was supposed earlier, Human Rights Watch website reported.

The UN and Human Rights Watch urge to investigate Israeli attacks on schools and the UN headquarters in Gaza.

Israeli officials say the government will investigate the attacks and use of white phosphorus in densely populated Gaza regions.

Israel has set up commission to investigate crimes in Gaza. It will act under international law. If Israel's guilt is proved, those responsible for this will be punished, Gissin said.

"One should not forget that it was Hamas who first launched hostilities. Not only Israel, but also Hamas members should also be involved in investigations," Gissin added.

Hamas fired rockets on Israeli cities in an effort to provoke Israel to war, he said.

"They [Hamas] want to expose Israel, but world community should accuse them also alongside Israel," Gissin said.

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