THE GAZA STRIP — A novel approach toward injecting international justice into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict got underway Sunday in this embattled enclave, but it left neither side particularly satisfied.
Borrowing from the South African reconciliation experience, a United Nations fact-finding commission opened what it said was the first-of-its-kind public hearing to gather witness testimony about alleged war crimes during Israel's 22-day assault on the Gaza Strip in winter.
But as it has with past inquiries, the Israeli government has refused to cooperate with the United Nations Human Rights Council fact-finding team, calling it hopelessly biased. A follow-up hearing, to gather testimony from Israeli victims of rocket attacks by the Islamic militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, will be held in Europe because of Israeli officials' refusal to allow the commission into their country.
Around Gaza, skepticism and distrust appear nearly equally high. Local television showed the hearing live for only a few minutes; an auditorium set aside for public viewing of the proceedings was mostly empty except for a few journalists. Having endured the conflict firsthand, many Palestinians said they had little desire to relive it. Many also expressed doubts that the commission's final report would make a difference in their lives or result in any punishment.
"Every time there is a war, they send a commission," said Ahmed Yazji, 29, a Gaza City money changer sipping coffee Sunday at an outdoor cafe several blocks from the hearing hall. "We've seen so many inquiries come and go. No one cares anymore because nothing happens."
Gazans who did testify provided emotional accounts of Israel's assault.
Three surviving members of one family recalled losing seven relatives as they sought shelter in a mosque that was struck Jan. 3 by an Israeli missile.
"I saw [shrapnel] fragments falling like rain," said Sheik Moteeh Silawi. "Everyone was screaming. People went to the mosque for safety and we saw bloodshed."
His father broke down and wailed in the heavily guarded hearing room as he recounted how he learned of the deaths of so many children and grandchildren. "Where is justice?" Musa Silawi, 91, shouted. "Where is the law? Where is the world?"
Israeli officials have insisted that they did not deliberately target civilians and blamed Hamas militants for hiding among Gaza's civilian population while fighting Israeli troops.
