“Israel is executing civilians in Gaza, committing war crimes”

Dr. Barghouthi: “Israel is executing civilians in Gaza, committing war crimes”
Saed Bannoura - IMEMCPalestinian Legislator, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, stated in a press conference on Saturday at the Watan Media Center in Ramallah that Israel continues its crimes in Gaza for the fifteenth day, and is committing war crimes by shelling civilian homes and killing children, women and elderly.

Dr. Barghouthi added that the large number of civilian casualties proves that Israel’s claims of targeting the fighters are false and outrageous.

He demanded all statistics and cases be documented in preparation for an international criminal investigation, and he also demanded the formation of an international committee which would be in charge of prosecuting Israeli officials responsible for war crimes.

The Palestinian Legislator also said that Israel is not only targeting civilians, but is also targeting medical personnel, as 13 medics and physicians were killed by the Israeli Army during the ongoing offensive.

He added that the Israeli Army has shelled hospitals, schools and mosques, which has increased the number of civilian casualties.

Dr. Barghouthi further said that Israel’s statements that the fighters the Israeli Army is kidnapping in Gaza are illegitimate are very serious claims which are considered an approval to kill them after they are captured.

Commenting on Jordan’s decision to withdraw its ambassador to Israel, Dr. Barghouthi said that this is a positive step that should be followed by other Arab and Foreign countries.

He slammed the Pentagon’s decision to transfer weapons to Israel, and considered this decision as an active American participation in the war crimes carried out by the Israeli Army against the Palestinian people. "It is a blow to the upcoming Obama Administration which is preparing to move into the White House", Dr. Barghouthi added.

Qaddoura Fares, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Society, said that Israel’s kidnapping of civilians in Gaza and the media blackout on the issue is very serious, as it gives the Israeli Army a free hand to assassinate kidnapped residents.

Fares added that the army is not providing any information about the number of kidnapped residents or their whereabouts "Which gives the army the opportunity to execute them, throw their bodies in the streets, and claim that they were killed in during clashes".

The Society demanded the Red Cross to perform its duties in the Gaza Strip and to act in order to attain information on the abducting of residents.

Doctor Moawiya Hassanen, of the Palestinian Ministry of Health, reported Saturday that 804 Palestinians, including 230 children, 92 women, and 92 elderly have been killed, and more than 3,300 were wounded; 400 seriously.