Palestinians mull war crime charges against Israel

By John Heilprin
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Palestinian officials say President Mahmoud Abbas is seeking broad political support, including from rival Hamas, before making any attempt to press possible war crimes charges against Israel.

Abbas is under pressure to turn the International Criminal Court on the issue, as the death toll in Gaza rises.

Independent legislator Mustafa Barghouti revealed Thursday that Abbas asked for and received written support for such a move from the heads of PLO factions this week. Participants in the meeting say Abbas also wants written support from the Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups. They are vulnerable to war crimes charges because of their indiscriminate rocket fire at Israel.

Earlier, the top U.N. human rights official accused both sides of committing war crimes.