JERUSALEM — Special legal teams will defend Israeli soldiers against potential war- crimes charges stemming from civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip, the prime minister said Sunday, promising the country would “fully back” those who fought in the three-week offensive.
The move reflected growing concerns by Israel that officers could be subject to international prosecution, despite the army’s claims that Hamas militants staged attacks from residential areas.
“The state of Israel will fully back those who acted on its behalf,” Prime Minister Ehud Ol mert said. “The soldiers and commanders who were sent . . . must know that they are safe from various tribunals.”
Speaking at the weekly meeting of his Cabinet, Olmert said Israel’s justice minister would lead a team of senior officials to coordinate the legal defense of those involved in the offensive.
Israel launched its 22-day offensive to try to halt Hamas rocket fire on southern Israel. The assault killed 1,285 Palestinians, more than half of them civilians, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights said. Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, were also killed during the fighting, Israel said.
At talks Sunday in Cairo aimed at solidifying the truce, Hamas official Ayman Taha said the Islamic group offered a one-year truce to Israel, including the reopening of border crossings to allow vital supplies into Gaza. He said Israel offered an 18-month truce, which Hamas rejected.
