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U.N. official accuses Israel of war crimes

March 19, 2009

NEW YORK (JTA) -- A U.N. human rights investigator accused Israel of commiting war crimes in Gaza.

Richard Falk, a special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, said Thursday that Israel had failed to distinguish between military and civilian targets in the strip during its recent military operation, Reuters reported.

"If it is not possible to do so, then launching the attacks is inherently unlawful and would seem to constitute a war crime of the greatest magnitude under international law," Falk said.

Falk appeared to base his conclusion on Palestinian casualty figures that Israel disputes, according to Reuters.

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