Defense, legal experts debate legality of strikes in populated areas
Defense minister convenes special forum to wade through murky ethics swamp as jurists warn IDF demand to use controversial military tactics to combat Palestinian terror may prove detrimental
The defense establishment hopes to settle one of the most divisive questions concerning urban warfare. In a special meeting convened by Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday evening, the country's leading
jurists deliberated the legality of allowing the army to strike populated areas used by terror groups to launch rocket attacks against Israel.
Among those summoned to the meeting were Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, Military Advocate General Avichai Mandelblit and officials from the Foreign and Defense Ministries.
Barak presented the complex dilemma confronting IDF commanders in Gaza, where terror groups take advantage of the Strip's densely populated civilian areas to launch rocket attacks against Israel. The army refrains from targeting such areas and the Israeli policy has proven to be a weak point in the fight against the rocket barrages.
In the past the IDF has used artillery to deter rocket launching cells but due to several incidents in which civilians were caught in the fire, the use of artillery has greatly dwindled.
The officials also discussed the possible use of more-accurate air strikes against launch zones.
"It will not be easy to authorize the use of artillery fire towards populated areas, because this will result in numerous casualties and international condemnation," one defense official said, acknowledging that the matter was of a highly sensitive nature. The officials said that all alternatives must be first be explored.
The group of jurists is expected to submit its opinion on the legality of evacuating civilians from areas used as launching ground and the use of artillery fire against those areas. A follow-up session on the subject is scheduled to take place in the coming days.
The defense establishment is also working towards securing court permits to demolish structures used by terror groups to launch rockets from – the tactic would seek to deter civilians from allowing their homes to be used for this purpose.
Other measures discussed at the meeting included possible power cuts to Gaza and the restriction of fuel supply, particularly to areas often used to launch attacks.
Security officials said that in taking to account the modus operandi of the terror groups, the IDF must be given free reign to target them, without allowing them to use civilians as shields.
