JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli inquiry into the killing of a Hamas militant nine years ago has ruled the airstrike legal, despite withering international criticism.
An Israeli plane dropped a one-ton bomb on the Gaza house of Hamas bombing mastermind Salah Shehadeh in 2002. He was killed along with 14 others, including several children.
The Israeli government report issued Sunday called the strike “legal according to international law,” clearing Israeli officials. It blamed faulty intelligence for the civilian deaths.
The airstrike came during a Palestinian uprising, with Hamas suicide bombings.
The incident led pro-Palestinian groups to call for criminal charges against Israeli officials involved in the airstrike. Such charges still interfere with their travel.
