PA chief says Israel carrying out ‘state terrorism, war crimes’ in Gaza

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says Israel is carrying out “organized state terrorism and war crimes” in Gaza that are punishable under international law.

In a televised address, he says the Palestinians “will not hesitate to pursue those who commit such crimes in front of international courts.”

Earlier this year, the International Criminal Court launched an investigation into possible war crimes committed by Israel and Palestinian terror groups during the last Gaza war, in 2014. It has expressed concern about the latest round of fighting.

Abbas accuses Israel of “brutal attacks on civilians and deliberate bombardment of homes.” Israel says it only strikes terror targets and makes every effort to avoid harming civilians, including by warning people ahead of some strikes.