Speaking in a Parliamentary debate on the human rights abuses committed in Gaza during last year’s conflict, Imran condemned the actions of the Israeli military.

The one year anniversary of the 51 day attack on Gaza by Israel was marked by a debate in Parliament on a recent UN report based on an independent inquiry which found violations of international law and human rights abuses that were committed by soldiers of the Israeli Defence Force.

The attack on Gaza last summer saw over 2100 Palestinians killed, over 1460 of which were civilians including 495 children and many thousands seriously injured and during which Israel lost 65 military personnel and 5 civilians killed. It is also estimated 108,000 people in Gaza had their homes destroyed, and to date, no destroyed home has been rebuilt.

Speaking on the report’s findings, Imran said:

“Last year’s conflict was the third military operation on Gaza in six years, and it has left thousands dead, thousands more injured, and destruction across the region with hospitals, schools, ambulances and homes all finding themselves in the firing line.

“It is clear from the report that the Israeli military wilfully targeted civilian buildings without thought for the devastating consequences, action considered a war crime by the international community, and immediate action needs to be taken to bring those responsible for these war crimes, at all levels of authority, to justice, which is why I am calling for a full, legal and all-encompassing inquiry into war crimes committed in Gaza.

“Only then can we work towards achieving a peaceful settlement to the region which will mean Palestinian children can play freely, their parents can hold good jobs and the region can develop and prosper, but I fear that once again the Israeli Government will cover up and ignore any evidence, and before long will have innocent Palestinian blood on their hands once again.”