montelatici, et al,
I read the
Independent Medical Fact-Finding Mission --- Gaza 2014 and was impressed by the professionalism of the publication; but NOT of the findings or recommendations. For a Forensic Pathology report, it is a decent executive summary. As an Investigative Report, it is woefully absent of evidence.
The one and only independent investigation of the attack on Gaza came up with far different conclusions. But, Rocco the propagandist knows that he only parrots Viscious Israeli Jew Occupier (VIGO) propaganda.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-Israel) recruited 8 independent international medical experts, who were not affiliated with either Israeli or Palestinian parties involved in the conflict. Experts were recruited in the fields of forensic pathology, emergency medicine, public health, paediatrics and paediatric intensive care, and health and human rights. Participants were chosen because of their professional expertise and their freedom from affiliation to any state or party in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories (OPT), or to any relevant political body in any other country.
Just a gist of the report and how the VIJO managed to murder over a thousand women and children.
(COMMENT)
First, I have no quarrel with the composition of the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) Team. But you have to remember that while all seem to be exceptionally experienced in their specialty, not a single one of them is a professional intelligence, counterintelligence, law enforcement, or Prosecution Investigator of any kind.
• 1@ Forensic Anthropology
• 3@ Forensic Pathologist (Coroner/Medical Examiner)
• 1@ Pediatrician
• 1@ Emergency Medicine Physician
• 1@ Clinical Specialist in Public Health and Family Medicine
• 1@ Registered Nurse and International Health Expert (Middle East Experienced)
And While I think that this composite team would be an excellent choice for establishing or determining the cause of death
(by examining a corpse) or the proximate cause of injuries and trauma; I'm not sure that they have the knowledge, skills, and abilities, to collect physical evidence from the scene of a crime
(there is some question as to whether the alleged scene of the 68 crimes -- were even visited and subject to a rigorous examination); or if any of the 68 alleged crimes scenes
(for which their were interviewed witnesses or survivor statements) were reconstruction to identify critical events necessary to establish the standard for the opening of a criminal case and to derive the logical conclusions relative to the facts
(a criminal report). In fact, from this report, it cannot be established, with any degree of clarity, if the 68 surviving victims and 75 fatally injured were a result multiple events and exactly how many crime scenes and attacks are involved. What was made clear was that approximately 2000 people killed of which 1500 remained unidentified as of 20 August 2014.
The first FFM Team, entered the Gaza Strip on 19 August 2014; one week before the open-ended cease-fire was reached on 26 August 2014. Site visits were not timely. Limited evidence was collected.
First, let us acknowledge that there was sufficient evidence to support the following:
1. The information provided by the photographs was somewhat limited by technique of examination.
2. The majority of the injuries were characteristic of explosion injuries.
3. The majority of the decedents suffered multiple injuries of various types of trauma (e.g.,
burns, blunt trauma and perforation injuries in a single decedent). This finding confirms the
similar situation described in patients treated in hospital.
4. Several photographs demonstrated the presence of a white-gray powder material over body
surfaces. It was not possible to determine whether this was detritus from collapsed buildings
or some other material connected with the explosion. Therefore, the tissue samples collected
and retained by the Forensics Department require further scientific evaluation.
Some accusations relative to medical delays, evacuation delays, and (my personal favorite)
Warnings not followed by an attack, were just ridiculous. There has never been a battle when once the engagement begins, there is a safe place anywhere on the battlefield. And while the IDF did attempt to give warnings prior to an attack, there were times when, attacks and fire missions were aborted as a result of new tactical intelligence was consumed.
BUT, there is no evidence to support the accusations made that:
Several violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, stem from actions and decisions by multiple levels of the chain of military command. There was no evidence presented that gave direct information of multiple levels in the IDF chain of command directing an intentional violation of customary and IHL.
The claim that the IDF Heavily bombarded of civilian neighborhoods was unfounded. The IDF, to the extend feasible --- verified the legitimacy of military targets and objectives. The IDF did (when practical and possible), as a precautions to minimize incidental civilian losses, issued advanced warning prior to an attack.
I don't think I need to remind anyone that everyone on the battlefield is at risk. There is no real evidence that the IDF intentionally directed attacks on medical evacuation.
The IDF did not intentionally shooting unarmed civilians. While there were civilians wounded, there was not evidence to suggest that the deaths were not collateral or unintentional.
and finally to abuse and ill-treatment
The IDF did not use civilians as human shields and practices that could amount to Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CIDT). Anyone who has handled prisoners, knows that the prisoner is never allowed behind you. That is especially true for prisoners that are suspected of Jihadist Training.
There is no evidence that the IDF initiated attacks on a mass civilian exodus. The removal of Palestinians Civilians and Civilian Objects from the Vicinity of the battlefield is the responsibility of the Palestinians. It was the duty of the Palestinians, to the extent feasible, to remove civilian persons and objects under its control from the vicinity of military objectives.
There will always be those that suffer trauma, psychosocial and mental health problems as an outcome of the armed conflict. There is just no way around that. Military conflict is no a paintball game.
Allegations regarding irregular weapons; yah I saw this. I suspect that this evidence is a result of ancillary presence of secondary debris picked-up in the blast. I saw this remark by forensics that talked about finding "computer chips’ with Sony markings embedded as shrapnel in people’s bodies;" along with the accusation of using "flechettes." I studied the picture of the debris removed and find it much to large to be a "
flechette" and much the wrong shape. In one case, it looks like a washer or a small gear; while in the other case, it look like a copper fitting remnant. But in neither case were either result of some exotic projectile weapon. If I did not know better, I would say it looked much like something I've after an Suicide Bombing or a Improvised Explosive Device. But then that would be evidence of a bomb making factory; a legitimate military target.
I could probably write a book on this one report. But needless to say, it really is not necessary.
Most Respectfully,
R