Report: Israeli killing of Hamas leader in 2002 not criminal act

Feb 27, 2011, 20:41 GMT

Jerusalem - The Israeli Army should not be punished for the assassination of Hamas leader Salah Shehade and 13 other Palestinians in July 2002, a final Israeli investigation has found.

The report on the military operation, handed over to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, concluded it was not a criminal act but a 'preventative strike' against terror, Israeli media reported.

The operation against Hamas military wing leader Salah Shehade was carried out on July 22, 2002. Israeli war jets stroke a house in Gaza City killing Hamas strongman and 13 other people.

The harm caused to innocent people was a result of the 'lack of intelligence information' and was 'unintentional, involuntary, and unpredictable,' the report said.

The Israeli Army 'has learned' from the 'disproportionate' damage caused, the investigation committee formed by former prime minister Ehud Olmert in 2008 concluded.

Shehade is described as the 'motivational, ideological, and operational force of Hamas,' wanted by Israel.

The committee also said the operation was carried out after the intensification of the terror attacks against Israel by Shehade's militia from 2000.

Israeli military and members of the Israeli government involved in the operation were therfore not forced to assume any personal responsibility for the assassination.

Such an operation is a 'legitimate tool in the murderous war on terror,' the investigation said.

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