UN commission holds public hearings on Gaza in Geneva

Jul 6, 2009, 13:56 GMT

Geneva - The United Nations commission to investigate the recent conflict in the Gaza Strip in January was holding its first day of public sessions in Geneva Monday.

South African Justice Richard Goldstone, head of the commission, invited Israelis to the Swiss city, where the UN has its European headquarters, to testify about their experiences during the conflict.

Israeli officials have said the commission is biased against Israel, refused to cooperate and implied the members would not be allowed into the Jewish State.

Noam Shalit, the father of an Israeli soldier held captive in the Gaza Strip since 2006 testified as did a woman from southern Israel who was injured by a rocket fired by Palestinian militants. Human rights activists and community leaders were also expected to give statements.

The commission, which includes legal and military experts, heard testimonies in Gaza at the end of last month.

According to human rights groups, over 1,400 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed during the Israeli invasion of the coastal enclave, which has been under a tight blockade since 2007.

Three Israeli civilians and ten soldiers were also killed during the three weeks of fighting.

Goldstone, of Jewish origin, was a key figure in South Africa's legal transition to democracy and was a prosecutor at international war crimes tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

He told witnesses that it was important their stories be told.

The commission, established by the Human Rights Council in January, will also hear from Palestinians from the West Bank.