Viddler

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, met with reporters this morning to discuss a report he commissioned to investigate the shelling of UN schools and infrastructures in Gaza from December 2008 through January 2009.

The report underscores that IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) troops deliberately fired at United Nations institutions known to be reserved as safe havens for fleeing civilians. It also concluded that Israel used excessive force and shot at Palestinian civilians "unnecessarily." The Israeli government has called the report "entirely unbalanced."

The report states that 8 out of the 9 serious cases investigated "Israel did not fulfill its responsibilities" and IDF members acted aggressively. The report does not talk about compensation for property and homes damaged by Israeli defense forces. The Secretary-General said that he agrees with the findings of the report and the conclusions which he states as "independent".

The board of inquiry is not a judicial arm and will not take legal action against Israel. The Secretary-General said though, that actions will be taken to promote accountability--including to get schools and facilities rebuilt. Some media reports suggest the Secretary-General may have received pressure from Washington to "water down" the report and to only provide the Security-Council with a summary of key findings.

The report outlines that in 8 out of the 9 serious cases investigated "Israel did not fulfill its responsibilities" and IDF forces acted aggressively. The report does not talk about compensation for property and homes damaged by Israeli defense forces. The Secretary-General said that he agrees with the findings of the report and the conclusions which he states as "independent".

The UN anti-torture committee has also asked for a full investigation into secret Israeli detention facilities where torture might be practiced.

Ban Ki Moon also added that Hamas has been using c