ByAnshel Pfeffer, Anshel Pfeffer
Two IDF teams are collecting evidence to respond to possible war crimes accusations in the wake of Operation Protective Edge in Gaza.
One team, headed by Major General Noam Tibon, commander of Northern Corps, has been investigating cases in which IDF fire caused civilian casualties, and is preparing a number of reports.
A second team was set up last week under IDF Planning Department commander Major General Nimrod Shefer and is looking at providing evidence of war crimes allegedly carried out by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, particularly their use of civilian areas to launch rockets. Former chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat is energetically pushing for the PA to join the ICC and initiate a probe into alleged Israeli war crimes. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, however, has been reluctant to take such a step, which would mean a major diplomatic clash with Israel and the US.