US: Israeli attacks on UNRWA facilities in Gaza war unjustified

[Jefferson23]

‘Suspicion that militants are operating nearby does not justify strikes that put at risk the lives of so many innocent civilians.’



Israeli suspicions that Hamas terrorists were operating near schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency did not justify the attacks against such facilities during this summer’s Gaza war, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said on Thursday.

She spoke to reporters in Washington in response to questions about a report issued earlier that day by the nongovernmental group Human Rights Watch, which accused Israel of committing war crimes by indiscriminately targeting civilians during three attacks against UNRWA schools.

At the time Israel, said it had targeted Hamas terrorists in each instance: in Beit Hanun on July 24, in Jabalya on July 30, and in Rafah on August 3.

“We were horrified by the strikes that hit UNRWA facilities,” Harf said. She emphasized that UNRWA facilities must not be used for military purposes, as some were by Hamas, and that they should not use civilians to shield fighters.

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/US-Israeli-attacks-on-UNRWA-facilities-in-Gaza-war-unjustified-375270

[oberliner]

1. "UNRWA facilities must not be used for military purposes, as some were by Hamas"

Could have been an alternate headline.

Or maybe "US says Hamas should not have used civilians to shield fighters".

As that information is also found in the article.

[Scootaloo]

3. But it's hardly news.

[oberliner]

4. Neither are Marie Harf's other comments

Only JPost seems to think so.

[Scootaloo]

5. Maybe you need to write a letter of complaint to the ombudsman

[oberliner]

8. No complaint from me

Just an observation.

JPost seems dead set on making it seem like the Obama administration doesn't like Israel.

[azurnoir]

6. yes its included in the snip above but nice work on emphasis

[azurnoir]

2. Ouch

but apparently some are attempting to use Harf's word to do something-justify maybe ?

[Aerows]

7. Would you look at that!

‘Suspicion that militants are operating nearby does not justify strikes that put at risk the lives of so many innocent civilians.’

More news from the "No shit" department.

I have the same feeling when we just announced we are going back to war in Iraq and Kerry says it might take a while. That you Captain Obvious. Now more people are going to die. Again.