While the international community is calling for an investigation on Israel for the reported war crimes of its troops in Gaza, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert recently vowed to protect his soldiers.

Olmert was quoted by Reuters saying: "The commanders and soldiers sent to Gaza should know they are safe from various tribunals and Israel will assist them on this front and defend them, just as they protected us with their bodies during the Gaza operation."

But Riyad al-Malki, Palestinian Foreign Minister, stated that Olmert’s statement should not prevent the international community from pursuing the alleged Israeli war criminals.   

"It does not mean there is an immunity against legal actions…More of such efforts will be seen also in the near future," al-Malki  said.

Estimates reveal that 1,300 Palestinians, including at least 700 civilians died in the 22-day Israeli-Palestinian war.