JERUSALEM, March 30 (UPI) -- The Israeli military Monday rejected allegations that soldiers committed atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza during fighting in December and January.
Military officials issued their rejection of the allegations after military police investigated claims made during a conference that the army deliberately killed civilians and damaged property during Israel's military operation in the strip during December and January, CNN reported.
The allegations were "based on hearsay" and weren't supported "by the facts as determined by the investigation," Israeli military advocate general Brig. Gen. Avichai Mendelblit said in a statement. He said he concluded "the stories told were purposely exaggerated and made extreme in order to make a point with the participants of the conference."
Earlier in March, Israeli soldiers said Palestinian civilians were killed and property destroyed during the country's Operation Cast Lead, which was run to stop militants from firing rockets from Gaza into Israel, Haaretz reported. In the newspaper account, Israeli soldiers said they were left with the idea that "inside Gaza you are allowed to do anything you want" based on the rules of engagement they received, CNN said.
Others have charged Israel with committing atrocities. Human Rights Watch claimed that Israel fired white phosphorus shells "repeatedly over densely populated areas." White phosphorus burns on contact with oxygen. It is legal to use it to illuminate but Human Rights Watch alleged Israel used it as a weapon, a claim Israel has rejected.
Other Israeli investigations into the conduct of its troops in Gaza are under way.
