Two senior Israeli military officials were disciplined for “exceeding their authority” during the Gaza war, a government report found.
The official 46-page Israeli government response to the Goldstone Commission report that was given to the United Nations last Friday said that a brigadier general and a colonel were “jeopardized the lives of others” by ordering the firing of artillery shells near a United Nations Relief and Works Agency compound in Gaza “in violation of the rules of engagement prohibiting use of such artillery near populated areas.”
The report also says that the shells were white phosphorus smoke munitions, which are permitted only in unpopulated areas and cause severe burns, though the army on Monday disputed this claim.
Ynet said the punishments for Gaza Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Ayal Eisenberg and former Givati Brigade Commander Col. Ilan Malka were not disclosed.
There were no casualties in the incident, the Israel Defense Forces said.
Meanwhile, the IDF announced Monday that a sixth team was appointed to investigate the treatment of Palestinian detainees during Operation Cast Lead last winter and look into individual incidents. Five other teams completed their investigations about six months ago.
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