Letters: War crimes in Gaza

With regard to Israel's recent invasion and destruction of Gaza (the Post, March, 21), Richard Falk, a United Nations human rights investigator stated that Israel's military assault on densely the populated Gaza area constituted a grave war crime. His argument is based on the Geneva convention that requires warring forces to distinguish between military targets and civilians.

If this is not possible, then launching military attacks is unlawful and constitutes a war crime of the greatest magnitude under international law. The death toll from Israel's recent offensive in December and January was more than a thousand Palestinians including more than 500 women and children.

Registered violations include the bombings of schools, mosques and ambulances. Israel's blockade of the coastal strip of 1.5 million people clearly violates the Geneva convention. Richard Falk suggested that the UN Security Council should set up a tribunal to establish accountability for war crimes in Gaza.

The world is waiting for the establishment of a criminal tribunal to establish accountability for war crimes in Gaza. Financial donations by the European Union and the US to rebuild and reconstruct Gaza does not justify the loss of Palestinian lives.

Lynna van der Zee-Oehmke
Bogor, West Java