Iran News Daily (Iran) : "Hamas welcomes U.N. War Crimes Investigators to Gaza"

Hamas Welcomes U.N. War Crimes Investigators to Gaza

GAZA (DPA) - The Hamas movement welcomed a United Nations investigation team to the Gaza Strip yesterday and said it would cooperate with it as it probes alleged war crimes committed during Israel's 22-day offensive in the Palestinian territory at the turn of the year.

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The 15-member delegation is charged by the U.N. Human Rights Council with investigating the actions during December 27 - January 18 offensive of both the Israeli army and Hamas movement which administers the Gaza Strip.

Israel launched the ground and air offensive against militants, mainly from Hamas, to curb rocket attacks on southern Israeli towns.

The U.N. team, headed by South African war crimes prosecutor Richard Goldstone, entered the salient from Egypt, via the Rafah border crossing point. Its members were to remain in the region for one week and were expected to present a report in August.

Hamas says 1,400 Palestinians, most of them civilians, were killed in the Israeli offensive, which also caused massive destruction. Thirteen Israelis also died.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said his movement will cooperate with the U.N. team and 'and will put all the evidence and proof at their disposal to let them complete their mission.'

Israel has said it will not cooperate with the investigation.