Wednesday, August 23 2006 14:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: A report by the human rights organisation Amnesty International accuses Israel of deliberately attacking civilian targets during the recent conflict in Lebanon. According to the report, the Israeli air force launched more than 7,000 raids during July 12-Aug 14 on Lebanon, while there were 2,500 bombardments by the Israeli navy. Half of the more than 1,100 Lebanese dead were children, and almost 1 million people were displaced - around one quarter of the population of Lebanon. "Many of the attacks were without evident strategic significance and were deliberate, disproportionate and didn't distinguish between military and civilian targets," the report said. "The destruction of thousands of houses and numerous bridges, roads, waterworks and fuel stores" were from the start part of the Israeli military strategy in Lebanon.

The report was based on the findings of an Amnesty delegation to Lebanon. Amnesty has called for an independent investigation into the recent conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah militia.