Madrid - Spanish National Court judge Fernando Andreu announced Monday that he would pursue his investigation into a 2002 Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip despite contrary advice by prosecutors at the court. The prosecutors had argued that the attack, which killed Hamas leader Salah Shehade and 14 others, was still under investigation by Israel.
Andreu said that did not appear to be the case and even if it were, the Spanish judiciary could simultaneously investigate the charges because they could be classified as war crimes.
The National Court has become known for its inquiries into alleged human rights abuses in other countries, ranging from Chile and Argentina to Tibet and Western Sahara.
The suspects named by Andreu include former Israeli defence minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer and six current or former army officers or security officials.
The probe is based on a complaint lodged by a Palestinian human rights group at the National Court.
The case has created some tension between Spain and Israel. The Spanish government told Israel that it planned to limit the possibilities of Spanish courts to investigate possible human rights abuses in other countries.
