Israel's assassinations are a war crime, expert tells MEE

Israel's assassinations of Palestinian military leaders along with their families in Gaza amounts to a war crime, according to a legal expert.

Speaking with Middle East Eye's correspondent in Gaza Ahmed al-Samak, Salah Abdel Ati said such targeted killings violate international law and the Geneva Conventions.

"Targeting resistance members in their homes, while they aren’t being used for military purposes, is a war crime," Abdel Ati, chairman of the International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights, said. 

He added that the killing of civilians, including children and women, also violates of international human rights law.

"International law and the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention provide civilians, especially children, special protection. Targeting them is a full-fledged war crime," he told MEE.

"Israel ignores International Humanitarian Law and human rights principles, and deliberately targets civilians and civilian objects to pressure the Palestinian resistance."

Israel killed 33 Palestinians in the offensive so far, including six children and seven women.