Hamas rejects human rights report over Gaza rocket attacks against Israel

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Hamas-led government in the Gaza Strip on Monday voiced rejection to Human Rights Watch's (HRW) report which claims Gaza rocket attacks on Israel are unlawful.

The New York-based human rights group said Monday that Palestinian armed groups in Gaza launched hundreds of rockets toward populated areas in Israel in November, which is a violation to laws of war.

"This report is biased. Human Rights Watch is always taking Israel's side," Yossif Rezka, political advisor for Hamas Prime Minister, said on Monday.

Rezka added that the Palestinian resistance groups are working against an occupying power, aiming at the liberation of their homeland, "not terrorism as HRW claims."

According to the report, the first rocket attacks hit several areas in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, leaving three Israeli dead and at least 38 others wounded along with destroying private properties.

"Palestinian armed groups made clear in their statements that harming civilians was their aim," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW. "There is simply no legal justification for launching rockets at populated areas."

The Israel Defense Forces said about 1,500 rockets were fired at Israeli cities between Nov. 14 and 21. At least 800 rockets hit Israel's cities, including 60 that hit populated areas.

Last week, the international watchdog group accused Israel of violating the laws of war during the last escalation on the Gaza enclave, in which 184 Palestinians were killed and 4,000 others were wounded. Endi

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