UN report: Israel and Hamas guilty of human rights violations

An independent United Nations commission of inquiry released its report Monday on human rights violations committed during last summer’s 50-day conflict in the Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza.

The conflict left more than 2,000 Palestinians dead, many civilians, and more than 11,000 injured. The clashes killed six Israeli civilians and 67 soldiers, with up to 1,600 injured.

Through more than 280 interviews with victims and witnesses and more than 500 written submissions, the investigators found both Israeli and Palestinian Hamas militants guilty of serious human rights violations.

Representatives from both sides immediately rejected the report’s findings. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu protested before and after the investigation. He said the report and the United Nations Human Rights Council that commissioned it were biased against Israel: “The commission that wrote it is under a committee that does everything but protect human rights.” Meanwhile Hamas applauded the accusations against Israel but denied its actions constituted war crimes.

On Monday morning, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest reiterated U.S. support for Israel.

“We indicated last year in the midst of this conflict that we support Israel’s right to self-defense,” he said. “At the same time, we express deep concern about those civilians in Gaza that were in harm’s way.”

The UN report said Israel denied investigators entry into Gaza and Israeli and Hamas officials refused to answer investigators’ questions.

“We are also aware that Israel has undertaken an investigation of incidents from the conflict and we await further outcomes from the Israeli government on this particular matter,” Earnest said.

The report claimed militants on both sides conducted violence without regard for civilians, and the commission expressed concern for impunity “across the board for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law allegedly committed by Israeli forces.”

Aaron David Miller, former advisor to Republican and Democratic secretaries of state on Arab-Israeli negotiations, said the report lacks clauses that mandate consequences. He predicted it would not bring immediate relief or change, but would “only solidify the positions of both sides.”

Miller anticipates no progress in peace negotiations before a nuclear deal with Iran, which has a June 30 deadline. Israel sees Iran’s nuclear programs as a threat. It condemns a deal that would lift U.S. sanctions and pave the way for long-term nuclear development.

Monday's UN report is just the beginning of investigations. The International Criminal Court prosecutor is considering an investigation into possible war crimes, actions that violate international humanitarian law, committed during the conflict.

Meanwhile, peace in the region still seems a long way off. Another U.S. attempt at peace-brokering ended unsuccessfully last year, and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius fears “an explosion” if the stalemate between Israel and Palestine continues. France recently proposed a resolution to the UN Security Council for immediate renewal of peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine. If the two sides can't reach an agreement after 18 months, France would give Palestine official state recognition.

Fabius met with Arab League foreign ministers this weekend to form an international coalition to pressure both sides toward renewed peace negotiations.

“This is part of a broader international effort launched largely by Palestinians and frustrated Europeans,” Miller said.

Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met individually with Fabius on Sunday. Netanyahu rejected the French UN resolution proposal and insisted on bilateral peace talks with Palestine.