Netanyahu leaning towards probe into Gaza war crimes claims

Ehud Barak and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi regarding the possibility of Israel establishing an independent mechanism for investigating the claims that Palestinian civilians were targeted in Operation Cast Lead. As such, the report Israel relayed to the United Nations secretary general on Friday does not mention the issue.

Senior Jerusalem officials warned that Israel's response to the UN will not satisfy the international community and that eventually an examination committee that is outside the IDF will have to be appointed to investigate last year's military operation in the Gaza Strip.

Senior officials in the Prime Minister's Bureau say that Netanyahu is inclined to accept the justice and foreign ministries' call for an additional examination, by an extra-military body, into cases in which innocent civilians were harmed during Operation Cast Lead. Netanyahu is convinced that only an independent probe will convince the international community that Israel is serious in its investigation of alleged violations of the law of war.

For now, however, Netanyahu is conceding to the strong objections of Barak and Ashenazi to an independent probe. He attempted to bring them around but the defense establishment appears to be steadfast in its refusal to have the IDF's monopoly over examination of its actions challenged.

"The prime minister knows what he wants to do on this matter, but he does not want to bring the matter to the cabinet," a senior source close to Netanyahu said.

Sources say that Netanyahu managed to secure another week during which to convince Barak and Ashkenazi of his position. A final decision is expected on Friday, sources close to the prime minister say, at which time UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is to inform the General Assembly on the implementation of the conclusions of the Goldstone commission's report by both Israel and the Palestinians.

Sources close to Netanyahu described the Israeli report submitted last Friday as the first stage. They said that Israel is now waiting for the response of the international community.

The view of the IDF and the Defense Ministry has been that Israel's response to the UN should stand as is, and that there is no need for the creation of an independent examination committee. However, sources close to the prime minister, and at the foreign and justice Ministries, believe that the result will be the opposite.

We will wait a few days to see if we need to make further decisions, sources close to Netanyahu said.There was very little that was new in the report sent Friday. Much of the response to the Secretary General explained the framework of the IDF investigations, the position of the Military Advocate General, as well as the civilian judicial system in Israel. The main argument was the at MAG is an independent body that does not answer to military hierarchy.

The report also described the investigations that were carried out with regards to allegations of war crimes. "To date," the Israeli report states, "the IDF has launched investigations into 150 separate incidents arising from the Gaza Operation. Of the 150 incidents, so far 36 have been referred for criminal investigation. Criminal investigators have taken statements from almost 100 Palestinian complainants and witnesses, along with approximately 500 IDF soldiers and commanders."

In addition, six special investigations were initiated by GOC Southern Command on the orders of Ashkenazi.