[ADN Kronos] The Israel Defence Forces said on Wednesday no war crimes were committed against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by IDF troops during Israel's recent military offensive, according to an internal probe. Human rights groups have repeatedly alleged war crimes took place during the Israeli military operation in Gaza in December and January.The IDF probe, which was carried out by five colonels who did not fight in Israel's 'Operation Cast Lead', examined reports of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, medical personnel and facilities, and United Nations buildings. It also investigated the alleged use of the controversial white phosphorous munitions in densely populated areas of Gaza, according to Israeli daily Haaretz.
Israel has faced mounting criticism over how it handled the three-week long offensive. Earlier in April, the United Nations Human Rights Council appointed former war crimes prosecutor Richard Goldstone to investigate alleged violations of international law. However it is not clear whether Israel will cooperate with the UN-led probe, which is due to begin its work within weeks.
According to the report, the Israeli military "operated in accordance with moral values and international laws of war", and made "an enormous effort" to avoid harming uninvolved civilians.
The IDF's willingness to probe itself "one again proves that the IDF is one of the most moral armies in the world," said Israel's defence minister Ehud Barak, commenting on the probe findings.
However, rights group Amnesty International said in mid-January that its delegates, who visited the Gaza Strip, found indisputable evidence of the widespread use of white phosphorus in densely populated residential areas in Gaza City and in the north.
In late March, the New-York based Human Rights Watch also accused Israel of using artillery shells containing white phosphorous in Gaza during its recent military offensive. White phosphorous is primarily used to obscure military operations on the ground by creating thick smoke. It can also be used as an incendiary weapon.
The Israeli army first claimed it did not used white phosphorous, but later retracted its comments after mounting evidence. In the report, it said the army had not illegally used white phosphorous.
There were also reports of hospitals and Palestinian medical workers being shot by the Israeli army during Operation Cast Lead, as well as attacks on and near UN and international facilities.
In another case, Israeli artillery fire reportedly hit a UN school where hundreds of Gazans sought refuge, killing at least 42 people. Israel insists that its troops were responding to fire from militants.